Our Story
The Women, The Mission, The Bra That Changed Everything
I’m Eleanor Smith, and this is the story of how Bella Bra was born.
As a midwife here in the UK, I’ve spent years supporting other women. But one thing that always struck me was how many of us accepted discomfort as normal. Bras that dug in, wires that pinched, shapes that didn’t feel like ours — we just put up with it.
The First Sketch
After years of frustration, I decided to change that. I started small, right here in my kitchen in Bristol. I sketched designs late at night and spent weekends researching fabrics that felt like a soft embrace. My daughter Charlotte, who’s a textile designer, would watch me experiment with scraps of cloth and bits of elastic. She saw how determined I was to make a bra that felt as good as it looked.
The First Stitch
I tested every prototype myself, then shared them with friends and neighbours — women who told me what they really needed, not what the stores told them they should want. Those conversations changed everything. They reminded me why I started: because comfort isn’t a luxury. It’s a daily necessity that every woman deserves.
The First Fit
What began as a quiet project soon became so much bigger. Word spread. Orders started coming in from women all over the UK — then from France, Germany, and beyond. I never imagined Bella Bra would be worn by women across Europe, each one discovering the same comfort I wanted for myself.
The Present
To this day, Bella Bra is still a family affair — made by women, for women, with a single mission: to help you feel confident, supported, and completely yourself.
Charlotte says that watching me build Bella Bra taught her the power of determination and compassion. I say she’s the reason Bella Bra became more than just a dream. She took my sketches and made them real, helping me refine every detail and bring Bella Bra to life.