Kat Alexander’s shop is relaunching after refurbishment with a new look and more stock
A Hull lingerie business owner is celebrating the reopening of her shop after a makeover with some special offers for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. Kat Alexander runs Sophistikate Lingerie Boutique, in Chanterlands Avenue.
The store has been closed for three weeks, to have a new floor installed, and the boutique has now expanded into the first floor of the premises. Sophistikate’s new look will be revealed tomorrow (Wednesday, October 15).
To mark the reopening, and in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kat has organised some special deals for all post-surgery customers. “We have a fabulous range of post-surgery bras in store,” said Kat, who has run the business since July 2024.
“We will be offering 25 per cent off our whole range, from Wednesday, October 15 until Sunday, November 2. We also have a raffle in store with all proceeds going to the HER Breast Friends charity.”
The first prize is a £100 gift voucher to spend in store; second prize is a full set of lingerie of the winner’s choice and third prize is a £40 gift voucher to spend in store. Tickets can be bought in the shop or via Sophistikate’s Facebook page.
“We are finishing off with a special event day, which will be Sunday, November 2, from 10am to 3pm, where all ladies – not only those who have had surgery – can get 25 per cent off all full-price stock and we will have prosecco on arrival. Proceeds will also be for HER Breast Friends.”
Kat said: “In Hull there are so few places where ladies who have had mastectomies can go for expert bra fittings. I have ten years’ experience as a specialist bra fitter.
“My store has already built up a huge client base.” Kat previously had a lingerie business with a partner in the city centre.
“I started off when I was 16, at House of Fraser, as a YTS trainee. Then I went to Debenham’s. It’s something I’ve always done.
“My passion is making a difference. It’s seeing that confidence on a lady’s face when she leaves the shop.
“If I can make a lady feel better about herself, that’s the main thing for me.” Kat said the refurbishment of the boutique has enabled her to include new ranges and expand the number of fitting rooms.
“We had two cubicles but now we’ve been able to add a really private one upstairs for fittings. It’s entirely separate; there’s a sofa in there and clients can sit and have a chat and relax, totally away from the shop.”
Sophistikate is a finalist in this year’s Stars Best Shop Awards, run by Underlines magazine – the “Oscars of the intimate apparel industry” – in the best newcomer category. The ceremony will be held at Shakespeare’s Underglobe in London on November 6.
Kat said: “It’s lovely just to be attending but also that there is some local representation in a national awards. It’s putting Hull on the map.”