News and press
BRA-VO!
Opal Celebrates First Birthday and Launches New Website
Hundreds of women in Frome and beyond have benefitted from Opal’s opening on Catherine Hill a year ago, thanks to its growing range of design-led lingerie and fashion expertise of owner Randa Bott.Opal’s continually changing window displays have attracted much attention and its offering of many exclusive brands has put the boutique firmly on the map as a destination for all ages and cup sizes! Opal was even voted as one of the best new lingerie boutiques in the UK at a key industry award ceremony earlier this year.
"It’s been a remarkable first year and I’d like to thank all my customers for their continued support and positive feedback since opening” enthused Opal owner, Mrs Bott.
“Despite the odds often being stacked against businesses in their first year, Opal’s really made a name for itself and I’m keen to develop on this success with a focus on further improving our choices of bras and matching garments, to ensure we provide the best fit in the South West! Well-fitting, beautiful lingerie is the essential foundation to looking and feeling great and it’s been great to help so many women achieve this confidence."
With new lines including Aubade and Lejaby, and further stunning collections being introduced before Christmas, Randa continues to provide something different for her customers. Her new website showcases the impressive number of lines the store offers, and will make it even easier for customers to keep up to date with new brands in stock, and order online.
With a firm focus on the feel-good factor, Opal provides well-fitting, beautiful lingerie for everyone. Alongside the designer and basic bra styles, customers can also choose from stunning lines of maternity, mastectomy and sportswear, plus nightwear, hosiery and menswear.
To see the latest collections and brands stocked and benefit from a complimentary fitting, visit Opal at the foot of Catherine Hill, call 01373 455587 or visit the new website at www.opallingerie.com. Gift vouchers are also available.
January 2008
Opal Lingerie Launches Mastectomy Lines
Opal, the newly-opened lingerie boutique on Catherine Hill, has this month launched its much-awaited line of prosthesis brassieres and swimwear for women who have had a mastectomy.
Offering a free fitting service and advice, shop owner Randa Bott hopes Opal will be able to help many breast cancer sufferers in the area. For each sale from these new lines £1 will be donated to Positive Action on Cancer, to support the local counselling service offered to those affected by cancer.
"It’s important for women to feel confident about their appearance and this is particularly the case after breast cancer surgery,” said Jean Slocombe, a Senior Cancer Information Nurse at Cancer Research UK.
“Finding the right advice about bras and lingerie can be crucial in helping women feel good.”
Mrs Bott commented:
“Since opening I’ve had several inquiries from women who have had this operation and found themselves at a loss as to where to buy a bra. Women no longer have to settle for second-best when it comes to prosthesis bras and I’m confident that the introduction of these lines will benefit women in Frome and beyond.”
Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK and more than 44,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, which is more than 100 women a day.
The South West has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer across the UK at 133.2 cases diagnosed in every 100,000 women, which is above the UK average of 120.6.
Statistics from the NHS also show that, in the financial year 2005-6, there were more than 1,800 admissions for total excision of the breast in the area covered by the South West Strategic Health Authority.
Positive Action on Cancer is a free professional counselling service for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis; patients, family, friends and carers. The main service is situated in the centre of Frome and other services are available in Bath and Warminster. To learn more please call 01373 455 255 or email enquiries@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk
Eight out of ten breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged
50 and, in England, the NHS breast screening programme picks up around
14,000 cases of breast cancer each year. For more information,
visit the Cancer Research UK patient information website, http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=195
Women can also speak to one of the Cancer Research UK Information
nurses directly, on 0808 800 4040, who are available from Monday to Friday,
9am -5pm. To download a copy of the advisory booklet, ‘A
Confident Choice’, visit http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=4579
Based at the foot of Catherine Hill, Opal also offers an exquisite range of design-led underwear, sportswear, camisoles, hosiery and fine fragrances for women of all sizes. Randa also plans to introduce her own range of stylish made-to-measure feminine lingerie to the boutique.
For a discreet and complimentary fitting, please call in to the boutique at 33 Catherine Hill, or telephone to book a suitable time on 01373 455587.
November 2007
Frome boutique owner welcomes Trinny & Susannah Bra revelations
A boutique owner from Frome is offering support and advice to female customers after a new study revealed that 70 per cent of women wear the wrong size bra.
Last week’s shock revelations from ITV’s no-nonsense style gurus, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, were warmly welcomed by Frome businesswoman, Randa Bott who was one of the few not to be shocked by the statistics quoted on the latest Undress the Nation programme.
“Sadly, many women in the UK feel too self conscious to walk into a lingerie shop and ask to be measured for a bra – a real shame as I’ve been able to help many women find underwear which is flattering and fits properly," she explained.
After opening Opal lingerie on Catherine Hill in September this year, Mrs Bott has offered free fitting and sizing consultations to her customers.
"Like buying a pair of shoes, unfortunately sizes between different brands can vary and therefore a proper fitting is essential to ensure that your money isn’t wasted.”
“On a more serious note, there can also be health implications in wearing ill-fitting under garments, so it’s well worth taking the time to get it right.”
"Whatever your shape or size – large or small – correct-fitting and flattering underwear can make an incredible difference to how you look and feel."
Based at the foot of Catherine Hill, Opal offers an exquisite range of design-led, flattering underwear, sportswear, camisoles and hosiery for women of all sizes. Randa also has plans to include mastectomy wear later this year (alongside specialist fittings) and even introduce her own range of stylish made-to-measure feminine lingerie to the boutique.
For a free bra fitting customers can visit the boutique at 33 Catherine Hill, or telephone 01373 455587. Alternatively, visit www.opallingerie.co.uk
September 2007
Catherine Hill’s New Resident Is A Real Gem
Ladies in Frome and beyond will now have the chance to benefit from well-fitting, beautiful underwear, thanks to Frome businesswoman Randa Bott and her new lingerie boutique opening this month.
Opal – based at the foot of Catherine Hill - will open for business on Saturday 29 September and offer an exquisite range of design-led, flattering underwear for women of all sizes.
“Fitted, feminine underwear can make all the difference to how a woman looks and feels, yet many female shoppers still feel too intimidated to ask for a bra fitting when shopping for underwear” explains Randa.
“My aim is to create a luxurious yet friendly environment in which customers can find exactly what they’re looking for and to help make the decision easier, a discreet free of charge bra-fitting service will be available.”
As a mother of three young children, this new venture provides the long-awaited opportunity for Randa to combine her extensive experience in fashion and clothing design with running her own business.
“I’m really excited about the challenge which lies ahead” enthused Randa. “From personal experience, I know how difficult it can be to find under garments that not only fit well but make you feel great."
“After living in Paris where women view lingerie as an important part of their overall outfit, I was truly inspired to bring this positive attitude towards underwear to the UK, and I hope that my new business brings confidence to many local women as a result.”
Alongside the latest collections of design-led lingerie, Opal will offer nightwear, sports bras, maternity and nursing underwear. Randa also has plans to include mastectomy wear later this year (alongside specialist fittings) and even introduce her own range of stylish made-to-measure feminine lingerie to the boutique.