Have you ever looked at a product and thought, “There has to be a better way”? That’s exactly what Olivia Goode, a final-year Product Design BSc student, did—and her bold idea might just change the way millions of women shop for bras.
Meet FORME: A bra fitting revolution
Frustrated by the lack of standardisation and inclusivity in traditional bra fitting, Olivia created a user-led system that provides a more accurate fitting experience for women.
Tired of seeing women forced to accept discomfort and imprecision when shopping for something as fundamental as a bra, Olivia set out to challenge the status quo, resulting in a fully adaptable bra sizing tool that could reshape how millions of women, especially new mothers and those who have undergone mastectomies or other breast surgeries, fit their bras.
Unlike conventional fittings that rely heavily on tape measures and static sizing charts, Olivia’s invention uses interchangeable underwires and adjustable straps to not only improve accuracy and comfort but restore dignity and confidence to a deeply personal process for many women.
From pain in the breasts, back and rib cage to skin abrasions and premature sagging, wearing an ill-fitting bra can result in a range of posture-related complications which impact the health of the wearer in the long term.
Now, with Olivia’s pioneering modular bra fitter, both vendors and wearers can easily collaborate through a tactile and intuitive experience to ensure accuracy and comfort, while avoiding bra-related complications.
Olivia said: “This project feels deeply personal to me, but it was my experience on the product design course that opened me to explore finding a solution to this problem which has existed for so many years. Now, I hope to take the pressure out of bra fittings and make the process more personal, more accurate, and a lot more empowering.”
FORME was created for professional bra fitters in mind but could be a valuable tool within the medical industry as part of treatment for patients with asymmetric breasts due to mastectomy or other breast cancer treatments.
Reflecting on Olivia’s work, James Tooze, the course leader, said: “Olivia’s FORME design embodies the core mission of the course, blending creativity with functionality to solve everyday problems that impact millions. It’s innovation with heart, and it’s exactly the kind of work we celebrate here at Brighton.”
Interested in studying Product Design at Brighton?
Olivia’s story shows what’s possible when creativity meets real-world problems. At Brighton, students aren’t just sketching ideas—they’re building solutions that matter.
At the University of Brighton, Product Design BSc is all about:
- Hands-on learning: You’ll design, prototype, and test your ideas.
- Solving real problems: Like Olivia, you’ll tackle issues that affect real people.
- Creative freedom: You’ll be encouraged to explore your passions and push boundaries.
- Supportive community: From expert tutors to inspiring classmates, you’ll be part of a team that wants to make a difference.
Find out more about our Product Design BSc course on the University of Brighton webiste.
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