IN December of 2020, Alice Kim launched PerfectDD, a game-changing clothing brand dedicated to catering to women with larger busts.
Before deciding to take a leap of faith in her self-funded business venture, Kim endured some harsh treatment from her peers that led her to make her mark in the fashion industry.
High school was not a walk in the park for the large-chested woman who wears a bra size 28H, and the prejudice against her natural body was heavy.
Kim recounted what being a slim girl with large breasts was like at her school.
In an exclusive chat with The US Sun, she said: "It was not fun. I'm generation X, so back then it was before the free the nipple movement. Like that trend is something of recent maybe in the past, I don't know, 10, 20 years.
"I developed early, around 11, 12 years old. So I always felt bigger than my peers. Just body-wise, like how clothes hang on my body. And back then I was sl*t shamed in high school. I was known as the Asian girl with big boobs.
Read more on fashion
I have big boobs & found the cutest tops at Shein – including a $4.75 buy
"So they didn't even know my name. I mean, of course some people did know my name, my friends did, but they're like, 'oh, that's the Asian girl with big boobs.' Like that was my name. And it's the women that sl*t shame you."
As a result of the name-calling, Kim resorted to trying to hide her chest as best as she could to not call any more attention to it.
She said: "I would slouch, because God forbid I stand straight and it looks like I'm sticking up my chest because my chest is bigger. So when I'm walking, people would say 'sl*t' and I would feel so insecure and upset.
"I literally slouched down and my mom would say 'Alice, you can still see that you have a big chest, even when you slouch. So stand up proud'. But I didn't want to, it was unwanted attention. Growing up was really hard."
Most read in Fabulous
WATER GOOD IDEA 
Dad shares genius hack to fill up giant paddling pool without a hose
Five perfumes you should NEVER wear – and one of them smells like a toilet
We were fed up of the housing market so bought a shabby mobile home for £750
I was shamed for wearing a corset top on a flight & told to cover up
A combination of being teased for something she couldn't change, along with the scant clothing options in the industry led Kim to create her clothing brand for big-busted women, PerfectDD.
The entrepreneur's fashion line is specifically designed for small to midsize women who wear a DD+ bra size and up, ranging all the way to an M-cup.
"One of our tag lines is we create options when you don't want your large chest to be a distraction," Kim said of her brand.
And her struggle with having large breasts didn't end in high school. In her adult years, as a working professional, Kim had some clothing malfunctions.
She recalled: "Right out of college, I was an investment banker. So back then we had suits for a requirement. So we had to wear a button-down and shirts, but my buttons would pop open.
"So I'd walk into a meeting feeling so good. Like, let's say after a presentation, I'm like, yes, I kicked ass. And then I go to the bathroom and I look down. I look in the mirror and my buttons popped open. I'm like, this is why everyone was so happy and smiling during my presentations. I was flashing people.
"And I could never close suit jackets. I'm a size zero or two, extra small generally. And what fits my shoulders doesn't fit across my chest. So I can't close suit jackets. And if I size up to fit my extra large chest, then it's baggy everywhere else.
"So I either have to pay more money to get it tailored, or I have to settle with looking frumpy, which doesn't make me feel confident. It makes me feel insecure."
As her complicated relationship with clothes became too much to bear over the years, Kim decided to be the change that she felt the clothing industry needed. And her previous professional background gave her the knowledge needed to run a successful company.
"I've been in the fashion industry for 20 years holding executive positions. So I've run teams before, managed budgets before," Kim shared.
"I've had different varying positions, including buying, planning, wholesale, licensing, merchandising, and different areas. So I think all of that, my background and experience helped me create my company."
PerfectDD has seen great success since its launch in December, with social media playing a big role in marketing.
Kim spoke on her amazing growth on TikTok, where she has posted various videos that reach women whose lives have been changed by her inclusive brand.
She said: "I'm so happy with TikTok and I only joined two months ago. Videos are going viral and people are relating to the problem. Everyone's saying, 'oh my God, this is me. Like, why did it take so long for someone to do this?'
"I'm doing everything organically, zero paid ads. So I'm growing. I'm successful in my mind."
Kim shared her views on the ideas that the media perpetuates about bodies and what's deemed acceptable at any given time.
"I'm tired of people and the media saying that we have to change our bodies to fit into mainstream clothing. I mean the nineties was Kate Moss, heroin chic style. Throughout the generation, the trends change.
"But we shouldn't have to go on this crazy diet culture or crazy plastic surgery culture of like, for example, now Brazilian butt lifts are in right?
Read More On The Sun
Two shark attacks in day on same beach as officials warn of ‘new normal’
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson’s baby’s gender REVEALED
"I mean, it's crazy like to change our bodies to fit into fashion trends. I don't think is right. I think companies like myself and new startups or even bigger brands need to do a better job to create clothes that fit real bodies. Not model bodies.
"We need to create the options and change our patterns and practices, not have humans change our lifestyles and diets and mutilate our bodies."
Source: Read Full Article
