Very excited to share about the shoot I did with Laura Stephens, the owner of the illustrious and inclusive, Rack Shack. Laura is an amazing woman and business owner. Originally from Amsterdam, Laura has pioneered an inclusive lingerie experience where every size and gender is included. Rack Shack is absolutely in a league of their own.

Laura is also doing virtual lingerie fittings during this time. Get some comfy and cute items to add a jolt of joy to your life! When you hit her up and mention Boudoir by Nomi, you receive 15% off your purchase.

I also want to give a shout to the fantastic Loni Venti for helping with this post.

Enjoy our discussion!!

xoxo

Nomi

Since I was a little girl I always wanted my own business but I thought I would open a restaurant or a gallery. When I moved to New York, I was soooo excited to go bra shopping. I am originally from The Netherlands and always had a hard time finding pretty bras in my size. I have been a 32GG since I was 14 and always had to go to specialty shops that only had 1 or 2 options in my size and they were usually hideous and very pricey.

I expected New York to be different because you have such a diversity of womxn and bodies here, but I was disappointed with what options there were. I just wished there was a pretty, trendier boutique, where I could shop and I could choose between different styles and colors, instead of just buying what is available, nothing overly fancy, I just wanted to feel normal.

I figured that I wasn’t the only person that desired this and decided to do it myself 🙂

What are your thoughts on inclusive lingerie?

No matter what color your skin has, the gender you identify with, or what body type you have, we are all worthy of feeling good about ourselves and worthy of having options to express our style and identity. This shouldn’t be just an option for people who look like the woman that society portrays as the standard; slim, young, white, tall, and cis.How did it feel to be the one being pampered in lingerie vs making others feel that way?

That felt great! I love being pampered and I love lingerie 🙂 It was really nice to be taken care of and not having to decide anything aside from outfits. Nomi has so much knowledge of what poses and light works best. It was nice to directed instead of the other way around. It was also interesting to think about my style, what I think is sexy and what I want to wear vs what would do well in the store and what others might like.

What are your thoughts on buying lingerie or a boudoir shoot as a gift for yourself vs “for your partner”?

I think lingerie should always be for yourself in the first place. If you feel good, you look your best. Confidence can be very sexy for you and your partner. Also buying lingerie that you think your partner will like but you are not comfortable in, can backfire. You never know how a partner will respond so make sure you feel fabulous and then your partner will follow 🙂

What made you choose Boudoir by Nomi?

Nomi is unpretentious, professional, relaxed, and warm, that is why I choose to work with her. She listens to your wishes and I love her esthetics. The studio is beautiful. Nomi also has the same philosophy when it comes to inclusivity and making people feel fabulous!

What were you nervous about going into your session?

Like most people, I have some body image issues, even though I have an inclusive, body-positive lingerie boutique. I do have to tell myself that I am worthy and beautiful and not compare myself to the beauty standard that we see in the media. I was nervous to be sexy and take myself seriously. I show bras on my body all the time but usually in a happy go lucky kinda way.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

I really loved how relaxed Nomi made me feel and how lightheaded it was, even though the pictures look so beautiful and sensual, we had a lot of fun. I also loved having my make up done professionally, then seeing the results and being so happy with them, was amazing

How do you feel now that you’ve completed the session?

Ecstatic. I love the pictures and can’t stop looking at them. Nomi captured parts of me that I love and am proud of. It is nice to look at yourself and feel pride and not a critique, the thing we have the tendency to do to ourselves.