Giving the gift of lift

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, April 30, 2014

 Uplifting experiences occur at LiviRae Lingerie, a haven created to boost women’s souls, by two women who’ve become bosom buddies. Unlike Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (stars of the 80’s TV show Bosom Buddies) these gals are real and their giving spirit shines through once you step through their boutique’s doors.

Known as the Double Divas Molly Hopkins and Cynthia Richards opened LiviRae Lingerie in 2006 after having worked at a high end retailer at Phipps Plaza (in Atlanta).

Named for their darling daughters Olivia (Livi) and Rainey (Rae), LiviRae Lingerie is about empowering women or as their website, www.liviraelingerie.com reads, “The idea, inspiration, and original concepts for a custom fit lingerie and bra boutique arose, as they often do, with a need to help women feel confident and sexy, not just in Georgia, but around the world.”

Putting that plan into action the ladies are bringing LiviRae to the great state of Alabama.

Just a short drive from St. Clair County, Molly and Cynthia will bring a mobile LiviRae to the Tutwiler Hotel in the heart of downtown Birmingham.

“We’ll have a mini-mobile LiviRae,” Molly said. “We’ll have a big girl pow-wow.”Cynthia added, “It’s very freeing.”

For $150 Molly or Cynthia will use their gift to fit you and in return you take home two of the best bras you’ve ever worn!

This is a one-day event of fittings and fun on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can meet your favorite fitters by registering at http://bit.ly/Q9saaX. Tickets are being scooped up fast so reserve yours today!

Joining forces after Oprah’s “Bra Revolution” show in 2005, Molly said she and Cynthia were the highest producing sales ladies who wanted to do more than just sell undergarments.

“We were the only ones with laughter coming out of our dressing room,” said Molly. “After that event we knew we had what it took to make this magic happen.”

Helping those affected by cancer, those who couldn’t afford it and creating the world’s largest bra were several passions featured in the gals’ 2013 Lifetime show “Double Divas.”

“My favorite moment was helping Norma Stitz (who is a Guinness Book of World Record holder for largest breasts),” said Cynthia. “I saw her on TV late at night and thought it was a travesty and ludacrious that she had never had a properly fitted bra. I created the world’s largest bra from just looking at her. It was a huge thing for me to provide her support after she hadn’t had it for so long.”

“For me it was fitting a 109-year-old lady whose family emailed me saying she wanted a red bra for her birthday,” Molly said. “She had such an amazing spirit, was very sassy and we connected right away. When I put that red bra on her she lit up like a candlestick. When she saw it she said, ‘Miss America.’ For me, to provide that for her was an amazing moment. It was so awesome.”

That sweet 109-year-old lady passed away a week after receiving one of her favorite birthday presents, but the family sent Molly a card saying she was buried in her red bra.

Striving to do more than just boost “the girls,” the Double Divas want to build women’s confidence by providing them a spirit lift too.

Covering the gamut in sizes the ladies motto is “No bust too big or small,” LiviRae goes up to a 50N. Or as Cynthia likes to say, “a 50N, as in no way.”

Infusing their magnetic humor in their work the ladies loved being told they were “funny gals” by Whoopie Goldberg when they were on The View.

Setting out to educate women on proper coverage and fit, the ladies are revolutionizing the world of lingerie with their Fit Finder and projects in the works such as Skyping with clients in order to fit them.

“We’re overcoming a size stigma in America,” said Cynthia. “Women do not invest in things they cannot see. Why do women have 25 pairs of shoes, but only one bra? We need to open our minds to something different and understand that ill fitting bras create health problems (just like a bad shoe).”

Generating new bonding moments for friends LiviRae also hosts bachelorette, divorce and girls night out parties.

“They can be mild or wild,” said Molly. “They’re typically for two hours after closing. It’s a great bonding time.”

Also in their wardrobe arsenal is the ability to put out the power of invention as one of their favorite accessories.

The ladies saw a need in the market and developed a product called Chippey’s Chips, the product provides, “chips for your nips when you’re in a crunch.”

“Cancer patients can also use this as a cover for their port for chemo,” said Molly. “It’s rubberized silicone, is reusable and easy to clean by just washing with soap and water.”

Creating the perfect place for work and play, Cynthia says the best thing about owning their own business, specifically LiviRae, is working with her best friend. 

”It’s cool when you can have a partner that you mesh with so well,” said Cynthia. “Failure is not an option for us and we know we’re never going to let each other down.”

Molly agreeing with (and appreciating) Cynthia’s sentiment added, “We’re committed to making it right. We do care!”

As laughter continues to sew a happy harmony throughout the LiviRae Lingerie dressing rooms these Double Divas are honored to be able to live out their dream which has turned into their mantra, “God gave us a gift to give you some lift.”

Molly and Cynthia look forward to helping support some ‘Bama boobies at their uplifting event at Tutwiler Hotel.

For more information visit www.liviraelingerie.com and “like” LiviRae Lingerie on Facebook.