ELAN is committed to giving women their confidence back. We believe that the current market for post-surgery lingerie is limited and that women want and deserve more! Your underwear is the foundation to your outfit, it can give you that extra spring in your step, especially if it looks and feels gorgeous. We want to give women their confidence back, one bra at a time!

Hi, I'm Jemima Ellis, the founder of ELAN Lingerie. I am passionate about body positivity and women feeling empowered. I believe that with the right tools (and the right undies!) a woman has the power to take on the world. I have a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Media and Marketing and have won an award for my impact on 'Digital and Social Fashion' as a result of my business idea. ELAN began when I was studying in the final year of my Fashion Media and Marketing degree and my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment was difficult and intense and a few months after her diagnosis she underwent a mastectomy to remove her cancer. It wasn't until a shopping trip to find some new bras for mum post-surgery that we discovered the 'not so fabulous' array of beige, black and white bras!! Where were the fun colours? The prints? The sexy bras to boost confidence and show personality...

I couldn't bear to see my mum's confidence knocked, to me it felt unfair! Why couldn't women have post-surgery bras that didn't make them feel singled out and different- with that, ELAN was born! What on earth does ELAN actually mean? Well, if you were to look it up in the dictionary, it would say something like this... "ELAN means energy, style and enthusiasm." This definition embodies all that we at ELAN stand for and strive to create for our customers. 

I spoke to women who have undergone mastectomies without reconstruction, some who have had reconstruction, some women who have had a lumpectomy and even some who have had intensive radiotherapy. Not one of them said they felt they should have to give up style for practicality and comfort. Why can't they have both?! 

I created ELAN in my final year of university, it actually got me through a very hard time with my mum. It gave me a focus and I felt that I had taken a bad situation and made it into something positive. I am a few years down the line now and I'm ready to make ELAN a reality and bring it to market. I owe it to the inspiring women I spoke to, my mum and women in the future who might be searching for that special bra that gives them their confidence back.

I have worked closely with an experienced designer who has worked for brands such as Agent Provocateur, Myla, Debenhams, Ann Summers and French Connection. Together we have created some beautiful bras which at the moment are only designs. The money will support me in the next phase which is to get samples created so we can test the product. It is important to ELAN that the bras are wearable and suit the needs of our customers so this testing phase will be vital in ensuring the perfect bra is created. This could take some time with many amends which will all cost money!

Any pledge big or small is greatly appreciated- here's what YOU get...

£5- Receive one of our fair-trade 100% Cotton tote bags sent straight to you in the post!

£10-  A big big thank you and £5 off your first order when we launch the online store!

£20-  ELAN 'Thank you' knickers and a handwritten note

£40- ELAN Slogan tote bag, 'Thank you' knickers

£50-  ELAN 'Thank you knickers', slogan tote bag and an invite to our launch party (tbc)

£100- ELAN 'Thank you knickers', slogan tote bag and an invite to our launch party (tbc) AND £10 off your first order

£200- ELAN 'Thank you knickers', slogan tote bag, an invite to our launch party (tbc), a bra and pants of your choice PLUS the option to name a product after you or after a woman that inspires you!

For more information or for any questions please contact me: jemima@elanlingerie.co.uk

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