Business owner Kat Alexander says event was ‘unforgettable’
A Hull lingerie shop that aims to make women feel better about themselves has been awarded a national title. Sophistikate Lingerie Boutique, in Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull, scooped the Best Newcomer accolade at the Stars Best Shop Awards, hailed as the “Oscars of the intimate apparel industry”.
Sophistikate recently underwent a refurbishment and relaunched to show off its new look, and increased stock, with an event in support of post-surgery customers and the HER Breast Friends charity. Owner Kat Alexander, who has run the shop since July 2024, was invited to Shakespeare’s Underglobe, in London, on November 6 to attend the Stars Best Shop Awards.
She said: “Although I’ve been in the Industry over a decade, it was my first time at the event branded ‘the Oscars of the lingerie industry’. There were seven in my category and I was surprised but delighted to win.
“I’m extremely proud of Sophistikate Lingerie. We are a great team and offer a first-class service.”
Kat posted about her shop now being an “award-winning boutique” and said: “Anyone who knows me well knows how passionate I am about what I do and how proud I am to be in this wonderful Industry. Being self employed is 24/7 extremely hard work but so worth every minute.”
She thanked her family and her suppliers and added: “Most of all thank you to my loyal ladies, we love you all.” Kat said it had been an “unforgettable evening”.
“Being first up, I didn’t really know what to do,” said Kat. “I nearly escaped before my very brief acceptance speech.”
Sophistikate reopened during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Kat offered special offers for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. The celebration concluded with an event day, where all ladies could buy discounted items and enjoy a glass of fizz, with proceeds going to HER Breast Friends.
Kat said at the time: “In Hull there are so few places where ladies who have had mastectomies can go for expert bra fittings. 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.”
She said of attending the awards, run by Underlines magazine, that it was “lovely just to be attending” and to provide some local representation on a national stage. “It’s putting Hull on the map,” she said.