Celebrating two decades of elegance: Isabella Lingerie's 20-Year milestone

As one of Coleraine’s best-known boutiques, Isabella Lingerie proudly celebrates a 20-year milestone this month. CQ sat down with business owner Inese McMillan to uncover the secrets behind her success.

Isabella Lingerie is a labour of love created by husband-and-wife team Inese and Kenny McMillan.

Located in modern, bright premises at Long Commons, Coleraine, this shop showcases a great selection of leading lingerie brands, such as Fantasie, Freya, Royce, Agio Milano, Panache, and many more.

With two decades of expertise in the industry, Inese, a mother of twin boys, knows everything there is to know about underwear!

Isabella Lingerie's journey began in 2005 with a small shop at The Diamond Arcade, where Inese first shared her passion for lingerie with the women of the North Coast.

Isabella Lingerie then moved to its current location in 2009.

In 2022, Inese was named the winner of Northern Ireland’s Independent Retailer of the Year award.

To add to this accolade, the local entrepreneur was the only Northern Ireland business to be nominated in the 2023 Stars Underlines Best Shop Awards, which were held in London. These awards are known as the Oscars of the Lingerie Industry.

As Isabella Lingerie marks their special milestone, we find out what makes this bubbly Latvian businesswoman tick…

What inspired you to open the business?

My love for underwear is the heart of it all. I have a passion for quality clothing, and I wanted to ensure every woman in the North Coast area had access good quality fitting underwear.

With seven-year-old twin boys, how do you balance the demands of family and work?

It is a juggling act, but myself, Kenny and Sharon McCaffrey work very well together.

Now that our boys are a little older and in school, we find ourselves with a bit more time to dedicate to our business.

Isabella Lingerie has a loyal customer base. What do you think keeps them coming back?

We believe in treating every customer like a friend. Sharon and I are genuinely dedicated to what we do, we just aim to make every customer feel special.

When customers step into our shop, we want them to find exactly what they’re looking for, and to leave with the confidence of feeling like a million dollars.

We cater for everyone, from a size 6 to an inclusive size 26. My youngest customers are around 9 years old and the oldest is in their 90’s.

I’m a true people person, and I hope that my warmth shines through.

Have shoppers changed in the last twenty years?

I know people have less money to spend now, but I am so happy when customers return from Belfast or other parts of NI just because they have enjoyed their shopping experience at Isabella Lingerie.

Many people now have tighter budgets so customers are buying more practical pieces now, underwear that is more basic and for everyday wear.

Surveys indicate that approximately 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. Is this something you’ve noticed?

Absolutely! My mother always emphasised the importance of this to me as a young girl.

Wearing the correct bra size impacts on how your clothes fit and how you feel overall.

Many women come to us having not been measured in years. I love to see the look on their faces when they see themselves in the right fitting bra.

I often take 'before and after' photos if the customer is happy for me to do this. I use these to showcase the difference a properly fitting bra can make. It will also hopefully encourage other women to call in and have a fitting at Isabella Lingerie.

Isabella Lingerie’s skilled staff are expertly trained and fully certified to fit medical bras for women who have undergone surgery. How do you approach this sensitive task?

Every woman's journey is unique. Some enter our shop feeling self-conscious and prefer to keep their scars hidden, while others take pride in their battle and are open about their experiences.

We follow the lead of each woman, taking our time to ensure they feel completely comfortable and satisfied before leaving our boutique.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I absolutely adore working with people. It’s so rewarding to see someone leave our shop with something that not only looks great but also makes them feel beautiful.

Alongside lingerie, we also offer swimwear and shapewear, so it’s wonderful to discover the stories behind each purchase—whether it’s for a wedding, a honeymoon, or even just a wee treat for payday!

What essential piece of advice would you give to your customers?

Make it a priority to get properly measured! My staff and I are professionally trained to ensure you get a high-quality bra fitting service.

While wearing the incorrect bra size doesn't directly affect breast cancer risk, it can lead to discomfort and pain, and even impact posture and skin health.

You will be amazed at how good you feel when you are fitted properly. 

As a thank you to all their loyal customers and to welcome some new – Isabella Lingerie will be hosting a special event to mark their 20th anniversary.

SATURDAY APRIL 5TH is the special event – there will be goody bags for the first 20 customers spending over £20 and there’s also 20 percent discount in store.

This article is part of Our CQ Spring Magazine.