Alumni Alum’s Firm Sells Garments Long Seen as an Oxymoron: Comfy Bras Stories You May Like Hotelie’s Granola Goes from Dorm Delicacy to Grocery Staple A Decaf Soy Latte, with a Shot of Entrepreneurship Hankering for a High-End Chair? Two Recent Grads Have the Goods At Harper Wilde, ‘30 Under 30’ honoree Jenna Kerner Barnes ’11 offers underclothes for customers of many shapes and sizes By Melissa Newcomb Chatting with a business school friend in the 2010s, Jenna Kerner Barnes ’11 observed that while many women enjoy shopping for apparel like shirts, pants, and dresses, acquiring a new bra is often seen as a chore. Whether it’s the discomfort of underwire and constricting elastic, the awkward experience of being measured in a store, or the hyper-sexualization of lingerie shops, a lot of customers not only don’t relish bra shopping—they put it off as long as possible. “So many industries had been disrupted by businesses creating a better product to serve customers the way they want it,” recalls Barnes, who majored in biology and economics on the Hill and is now based in the L.A. area. “But we were still wearing old, ratty bras with underwire poking out on the side. Why had industry disruption not happened for bras and underwear?” In 2017, the Arts & Sciences alum cofounded an online clothing business aimed at changing that: Harper Wilde, which offers comfortable, high-quality bras as well as underwear, sleepwear, and activewear. Its bras and bralettes (wire-free bras with little or no padding) have earned kudos and landed on “best-of” lists in such media as CNN, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping. We were still wearing old, ratty bras with underwire poking out on the side. Why had industry disruption not happened for bras and underwear? Among Harper Wilde’s top sellers is its Bliss line, comprising nine styles of bralettes and underwear made of an ultra-soft microfiber. Priced at $45, they include styles like V-neck, halter, and racerback, and have straps ranging from spaghetti-thin to wide. Harper Wilde’s products come in standard colors (like rose, beige, and black) as well as limited-edition shades such as periwinkle and plum. Models wearing Harper Wilde's Base T-Shirt bra. The brand’s ethos includes offering a wide range of sizes, from XS to 6XL—which translates to cups from A to DDD/F and bands from 30 to 50 inches. Stories You May Like Hotelie’s Granola Goes from Dorm Delicacy to Grocery Staple A Decaf Soy Latte, with a Shot of Entrepreneurship One thing that Harper Wilde bras don’t have is the sort of frilly embellishments typical of the lingerie industry—and that practical approach is by design. “We thought competitors were hyper-sexualizing the market and were out of touch with what women really wanted, which is to be comfortable,” says Barnes, who was named to the 2019 Forbes "30 Under 30" list in retail and ecommerce. We thought competitors were hyper-sexualizing the market and were out of touch with what women really wanted, which is to be comfortable. “Women are leading board meetings; they’re saving lives in hospitals; they’re working 16 hours a day. They’re not all sitting in a corset waiting for their husbands to come home.” When the New York Times’ Wirecutter (a subscription-based product-review section) compiled a list of the “best, most comfortable bras,” Harper Wilde took two of the seven spots. In addition to the Bliss bralette, Wirecutter praised Harper Wilde’s Base T-shirt bra, which is lined and offers full coverage. The company also makes sports bras and underwear in a variety of styles. “It’s supportive and pillowy soft. Wearing this bra feels like curling up in a favorite armchair,” says Wirecutter. “And it’s a bargain, to boot.” Manufactured in Sri Lanka, Harper Wilde’s products were initially developed while Barnes and her cofounder were working toward their MBA at Penn’s Wharton School. (The company’s name is an homage to two female authors: Harper Lee and Laura Ingalls Wilder.) It’s supportive and pillowy soft. Wearing this bra feels like curling up in a favorite armchair. The New York Times’ Wirecutter “There were hundreds of women in our program who were part of our target demographic,” Barnes recalls. “Between classes, our friends would try the prototypes on in the bathroom and give us feedback.” As the business has grown, Barnes and her colleagues have sought creative ways to reduce waste from castoff undergarments: through its recycling initiative, more than 120,000 bras and 50,000 pairs of underwear have been broken down for use in insulation, rugs, and other upcycled products. All photos provided. Published October 31, 2024 Comments Melinda Dower, Class of 1978 17 Nov, 2024 I tried these bras and now will wear nothing else, I had no idea that they were developed by a fellow Cornellian! Well done Jenna! Reply Michelle 17 Nov, 2024 come to London!!! in the meantime, I will have to buy on my next US visit. sounds like an amazing business you’ve built up. congrats! Reply Ann Ginsburg 18 Nov, 2024 I just ordered one last week! Had no idea it was created by a Cornell Alum! I’ll be so proud to wear it! From the reviews, sounds like I will be ordering more! Congrats on your success Jenna! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Cornelliana What Does Cornell Mean to You—In Five Words or Less? Ask the Expert ‘What’s Your Purpose in Life?’ Psychology Prof Explains Why that Question Makes All the Difference Cornelliana Take a Bough: Slope’s Iconic Tree Long Predates Ezra