Hi Friends!
I’m home from the coolest opportunity. I was able to drive up to Burnsville, MN to visit JunoActive. This is the company that makes the swimwear I frequently feature on my site, and exclusively featured in the more than 100 photos in my latest book, Aqua Therapy for Lipedema and Lymphedema (I even have a whole page dedicated to their company in my book!) I’ve been wearing their suits since before their 2012 name change (from Junonia) and own well, MANY, of their suits. Their swimwear has been to Mexico, Hawaii, all over the continental US, Rome, Paris, and so on, with me, and it lasts SO well. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see their warehouse, meet the team behind my swimsuits, and spend an entire day with the JunoActive folks trying on different styles, and giving feedback from the perspective of a woman with Lipedema.
If you’d like to shop JunoActive, please use my code so I get credit for your referral. Your support helps me do things like this on behalf of the lipedema community. my link —->>>> https://www.pjtra.com/t/8-11968-266357-172100
My day went a little like this. I came in with full makeup and hair (and eyelashes), and we did a quick tour of the warehouse, which was totally organized with in house shipping and returns. We then went into JunoActive’s design studio and photography studios, where several outfits and swimsuits were ready in my size. We had a team there helping me pose, taking pictures, and gathering feedback on each item as we moved through. Ann Kelly, the company founder and CEO, came in for a visit as well, and requested that I try on certain pants items to be able to give design feedback to the team, which I was so happy to do.
As far as feedback goes, we talked about pants, underwear leg holes needing to not be binding for good lymphatic flow, the underarm coverage, bra linings, tailoring designs, and so much more. Everything I shared with the team was documented extensively. Thanks to the ladies who contributed ideas before I went in so I was well prepared. After we did the feedback session, Stephanie, their social media writer, did a question-and-answer taped interview with me to help build out a blog post. After that, they let me pick some items to take as a thank you for coming. I wasn’t expecting such a nice gift, but I’m thrilled with the items I selected. I’ll be featuring all of my JunoActive items in upcoming Lipedema-Friendly Outfits posts on my site.
While I was there, I saw some items that are in design and early manufacturing now, and I kind of geeked out when I saw their design drawings on the wall. This whole process is super fascinating to me now, especially, as I’m in the early sampling phases for my own footwear line for women with lipedema. The process is very similar.
After that, I was lucky to get to go to lunch and get to know the ladies at JunoActive quite a bit better. We talked about who they are, where they see the company going, and more. It was super chill and I feel like we all had a lot in common. All in all, I had a fantastic day and made great memories. I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to sit with a company made for women with larger bodies (they use a 1x model, a 1x dress form, and START at a 1X – yes!), using beautiful and durable fabrics, and custom patterns designed for larger bodies vs. scaled up versions of smaller sizes. That’s why I love and support this company.
Be on the lookout for my images in the coming weeks as I put together fun outfit ideas with a dress I came home with, and the posts of the swimsuit pants I got, along with a new racerback tankini that is already holding up to my pool shenanigans.
If you ever get a cool opportunity like this, TAKE IT!
Take care friends and keep on adventuring!
Susan
