Story by Kristi English
Photos submitted by Cherry Blossom Intimates
Jasmine Jones wants everyone’s experience at Cherry Blossom Intimates to be a positive one.
“We are very encouraging of body positivity and our bra-fitting experts are body-affirming,” she explained. “We want our customers to feel liberated to express themselves and to really lean into what makes them feel empowered.”
Jones is no stranger to embracing challenges, as Miss District of Columbia USA 2016, she is the co-founder of Cherry Blossom Intimates, a lingerie shop in Prince George's County. It is also a breast health facility and boutique, specializing in a unique bra fitting experience. We first contacted Jasmine to learn about trends in wedding undergarments, but soon found that she and her staff of five offer so much more to their community.
“My grandmother had breast cancer and I remember walking into a medical supply store with her when I was younger and it smelling of Ben-Gay, seeing the walkers and bedpans, taken to a rack in the back of the store for her post-mastectomy bra fitting,” Jasmine said. “I remember thinking no person should have to shop for bras in a store like this.”
A few years later she saw a social media campaign petitioning a popular brand to carry bras for those post-surgery. To her knowledge, nothing came of this, but it got the wheels turning in her mind, with the knowledge that there was a want and need out there for all-inclusive underthings. Fast forward to a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure when Jones represented Miss District of Columbia. At the event, she met Dr. Regina Hampton, a renowned breast cancer surgeon and spent the rest of the race talking and dreaming up a store where everyone would feel welcomed and breast cancer survivors would shop for beautiful lingerie alongside their friends.
“We are in the fifth year of the store, and everything aligned from the very beginning,” Jones said.” The mission is to offer an inclusive space for everyone. Cherry Blossom Intimates is a medical facility, but we do not operate like a supply store. We want our customers to feel safe and pampered, like you are at your best friend’s house.”
When you walk through the doors of Cherry Blossom Intimates, you are given the red carpet treatment. First, you are given a tour of the store and shown the signature Pink Wall, a living, breathing facade, made of tinted moss, emblazoned with the store’s logo. Next, you are shown the angel wall, the “why” of Jones and Hampton, which holds a photo of Jasmine’s grandmother as well as a friend of Dr. Hampton, both of whom lost their lives to breast cancer.
This wall is a beautiful reminder of the inclusive space and makes shopping here even more special. After seeing and touching the racks of lingerie, bras and underwear, you talk through your ideas and vision, while the fitting experts make it a reality. The store encourages by-appointment-only scheduling, assuring you and your party will have an intimate experience of choosing undergarments. Your group is treated to drinks while you shop and Jones says the lighting is perfect for selfies giving a true experience you will never forget.
For those new to shopping for intimates, Jones starts with the basics and gets an idea for the person’s comfort level. Many times people know they need dress undergarments, and Jones and her team give their customers other options for the entire day, night and beyond.
Jones and her team help customers choose underclothing for their big day, starting with a robe to wear while having their makeup applied. Wedding dress undergarments tend to match the dress, so nothing shows while at the altar. Cherry Blossom Intimates provides “breast solutions,” named simply because sometimes that is not a bra at all, but, lifting tape, or corset.
“We will suggest shapewear and seamless underwear for that no-show look. Our customers will bring the dress or photo of the dress and we use that to design the perfect package.”
“We see brides choosing white or cream for their wedding night. Those are usually a chemise or slip, something very traditional. We even have customers who ask for a full, bone-in corset. However, for their honeymoon, many people like to spice it up,” she added, laughing.
She talked of the trends, such as nude undergarments that match the skin tone of the wearer.
“Cutouts are very popular, whether it be on the underwear, or back and sides of a slip,” she said. “Bright colors are trending, of course pink, with the Barbie movie, but also jewel tones that make you feel luxurious.”
With bra sizes from A through O cups and band sizes 26-46, Cherry Blossom Intimates truly has something for everyone and Jones offers a loyalty program for customers.
“We want people to think of us when they get dressed in the morning,” she said. “Many times brides and the wedding party will send us photos from their big day. We love seeing the final result.”
Cherry Blossom Intimates
9201 Woodmore Center Drive, Suite 426
Glenarden, MD 20706
Monday- Saturday:10am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
301-580-0059
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