With a background in science, five years ago Naomi Fitzpatrick found herself in a whole new line of work.
She always knew she wanted to start her own business some day, though she didn’t know it would be in retail. But as fate would have it, her grandmother and mother inspired her to open Marie Angelique Bra & Lingerie.
It all started after her grandmother, and later, her mother, were both diagnosed with cancer.
“After my mother had a mastectomy, she didn’t feel like herself, and we searched and searched for the right bra and lingerie,” Fitzpatrick said. “I started to learn more about the proper fit of bras and how much difference that can make.”
This led to the opening of her store, Marie Angelique Bra & Lingerie (named after her two grandmothers – Marie and Angelique).
She opened the first location in 2013, in St. Charles, primarily for cancer survivors and others who found it a challenge to find a bra that fit well.
“I wanted it to empower women, and help them feel good about themselves,” Fitzpatrick said.
She later located to O’Fallon, Missouri, expanding offerings to include not only bras, but also sleepwear, shapewear, panties, loungewear and fine lingerie. And though Marie Angelique has always catered to women who are hard to fit, plus-bust women and mastectomy patients, it has evolved to be inclusive of all shapes and sizes, with the goal of finding the best fit for everyone. Bra sizes range from 28- to 54-inch band sizes, and AA to N cups.
“Basically, we can fit every woman at every stage of life and lifestyle – from mothers bringing their daughters in for a first bra fitting, to bridal and honeymoon garments, to pregnancy and beyond,” Fitzpatrick said. “And if we don’t have something in the store, we can special order it.”
Just how important are proper undergarments with the right fit?
According to Fitzpatrick, the foundation (underwear or lingerie, if you will) for your clothing is as important as the foundation for anything, whether that’s a house or a bridge or the female body.
“If the foundation isn’t right, you can’t carry and maintain the weight properly,” Fitzpatrick explained. “It has to be the right fit, and the bra has to be constructed correctly. There is nothing worse than a bra that doesn’t fit. It’s uncomfortable, and certainly changes the appearance of the clothing that you put on top of it.”
The right bra will enhance your fashion, whether it’s a T-shirt, a cocktail dress or your wedding gown.
“The goal is to find the best fit for every body type,” she said. “We don’t really speak ‘size,’ but rather, fit, for personality, lifestyle and what our customers will actually wear when they leave the store.”
Marie Angelique offers high-quality brands that can provide a range of sizes and styles, like Goddess, Elomi, Affinitas, Heidi Klum Intimates, Coobie and Panache, among others. One of Marie Angelique’s hallmarks is the personal touch, while helping all women to accentuate their beauty. And personalized, discreet, one-on-one service is important, because bra fitting can sometimes be an intimidating experience.
“It’s also important to understand the female anatomy, and to realize that people come in all shapes and sizes. There is no ‘one size fits all.’ Every woman is unique,” Fitzpatrick said.
She also owns and operates Boutique It Collective STL, a retail cooperative in The Meadows in Lake St. Louis that offers merchandise from 12 different women-owned businesses, including Marie Angelique. Some are there on a permanent basis, while others rotate their wares every 90 days, all seamlessly located under one roof.
After Feb. 16, the O’Fallon location will close, but Marie Angelique will still operate at the Boutique It store in Lake St. Louis, online at marieangelique.com, and by appointment.
Fitzpatrick’s desire to succeed in her career and business can be traced back to when she delivered her oldest (of three sons) son at the age of 20, while still in college.
“After the delivery, the doctor looked at me and said, ‘I don’t want to see you back here next year,’” Fitzpatrick said. “I was insulted. He had decided that’s what was going to happen, and I was determined that I was going to be successful and prove him wrong.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology, then her MBA, and worked as a research biologist and in IT for a combined dozen years, before turning to her current career, with two businesses that help to empower women.
“I want girls and women to see that they can be a wife and a mother and still pursue a career or become a businesswoman. It’s not all or nothing,” she said.
During her off-time, Fitzpatrick entered into the world of body building, and in a recent competition, took first place in Masters Figure and earned her Pro Card, placed second in Novice Figure and fifth in Open Figure. Her three sons often work out during family workout sessions with her and her husband, Vince, who also competes.
