I’ve talked about bras every day since January 2013 when I first got this nugget of an idea of opening a bra shop. That’s about 500 days in a row of “bra-talk.” Next Saturday will be just another one of those days – except I will be on a stage in front of 100 people and my talk will be videotaped, and potentially viewed around the world.
This won’t be just another one of those minute-long “Bra of the Week” videos. It will be up to 18 minutes of me explaining bras. Never have I had a more awesome opportunity.
I will be one of seven speakers at TEDx Battenkill. If you’re not sure what TED or TEDx is, basically it is a forum for ideas worth spreading. “TED” is the big brother to locally-organized “TEDx” events like the one in Manchester next week named after our much beloved river. TED’s mission statement talks about the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world.
I guess we will see if I do any of that – or at least take a step toward it – with my talk entitled “De-mystifying the Bra: Where to From Here?” I have this theory that how you feel about your bra affects how you feel about your day. I figure feeling comfortable and good about this article of clothing that you wear right on top of your skin and closest to your heart is important. Your bra is really your first layer to the world. I’m talking clothes, emotions, and whatever else you might be bringing into a room. There’s a reason they call these things “foundations,” you know?
I’m going to explain basic bra sizing and fitting and tell some stories. Some people have asked me if I’m nervous. I’m not. I’m excited. I’m determined. And I’m really motivated. Plus, remember…I’ve talked about bras for about 500 days in a row!
I don’t know why it is that we all don’t grow up learning more about bras and sizing. It’s not our fault: nobody told us. It’s not their fault: nobody told them. A little education could have maybe saved some of the pain and discomfort that a lot of women have felt for a lot of years.
Right now if you search “bras” or “bra fitting” as topics on the www.ted.org website, it says, “sorry, no matches.” I think that’s crazy. There’s a lot more people wearing bras than there are of those who do anything remotely connected to rocket science. Search that topic and you’ll come up with 82 matches.
So after next week, there will be at least one talk that comes up when the word “bra” is entered into the “search topic” field. My talk is going to explain where the numbers and letters come from. I want to help people understand it. It’s a step I’m taking to help de-mystify the bra. To me, there’s a big opportunity here; to change bra attitudes, bra lives, and ultimately, the bra world.
One small step for bras, one giant leap for bra-wearers…here’s hoping,
Joy
PS: It’s going to be a great day: 7 speakers, lunch, after-party. Check out the details at www.tedxbattenkill.org. The website has all the info on speakers, tickets, and everything TEDx Battenkill. If you come, please say hi!
