A LUXURY post-surgery underwear brand founded by an Irishwoman in Scotland has won a trophy at the prestigious UK Lingerie Awards 2014.
Nicola Dames, the CEO and founder of Vanilla Blush — which revolutionised the colostomy and ileostomy world by producing sexy glamorous underwear and swimwear for people with stomas — took the UK’s Post Surgery Brand of the Year at a ceremony in London’s Covent Garden this month.
There the Dublin-native, who is now based in Glasgow, said: “In 2006 I was initially stunned to end up with a stoma after years of suffering with colitis. In 2014 I am initially stunned to be voted as winner of the prestigious UK Lingerie Award by the leaders of the lingerie fashion world.”
She added: “But this UK Lingerie Award is so important, not only because the competition was so tough, especially from the mastectomy fashion companies, but because it says having a colostomy or an ileostomy or an urostomy is something normal, and should be worn with pride.”
Dames’ success in the national awards has since been championed by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “Many congratulations to Vanilla Blush on this fantastic achievement. They are a great example of a Glasgow company flying the flag for Scotland, and this award is a richly deserved acknowledgement of all the hard work that has gone into their success.”
