Posture Wings Led To Disrupt the Bra Industry
Mary Fenske's Journey of Inventing Posture Wings
Hi, my name is Mary Fenske, the founder, CEO, and inventor of Posture Wings.
My journey started because I was in constant pain due to a whiplash at 14 years old, and my career as an analyst had me sitting at the computer all day. One morning I woke up and lost the use of my arms!
I began physical therapy where they diagnosed both the pain and lack of mobility as a result of compression on my neck due to my poor posture.
At the end of my appointment the PT would kinesiology tape my shoulders and back in an effort to improve my posture. The tape only pulled my skin and did not help to support my body. When I asked my physical therapist “where can I find a posture brace?” she informed me that no commercial brace was clinically proven effective. I researched every product and defined what the market was missing. I invented a solution for any type of embodiment or gender and patented it.
The flagship product was a bra, as I did not want to wear a bra and a brace and every women that I talked to wanted effective posture support in their bra. As I was forming the company and collaborations; more discoveries of women's health began to emerge.
I sourced a technical sports manufacture and began prototyping bras to optimize the patented feature. Not having bra industry experience, my approach was out-of-the-box. I would make a change in a prototype and was surprised by how a design change markedly effected the comfort and support. At this time, I began collaborations with leading experts in biomechanics and physical therapy and they explained the benefits that I discovered from a medical perspective. If I could discover these improvements - then why were our bras the way they are?? I researched the history of bras and it became clear why the modern bra design is flawed, and even harmful! I learned 51% of women suffer severe breast tissue pain and that pain impacts a women's decision to exercise. Reduced exercise leads to many more illnesses that women suffer more than men and that doesn't include the neck, back and shoulder pain the bra also contributes too.
When I tried to test my bra's superior features of breast support, posture, biomechanics and other anatomy benefits; I learned that the medical science of breast tissue support was nearly non-existent and was paid for by the bra industry. The science of "80% of women are in the wrong size" blames the women NOT the bra! This must change! The data of the impacts to women's wellness due to the lack of healthy breast tissue support is staggering.
We must expand the medical science of breast tissue support and disrupt the bra industry!
Posture Wings patented design is a game changer and has been awarded a Health Innovation Award.
Other awards include:
- US Utility patent for smart apparel
- Entrepreneur Grant
- Top 100 in FemTech & Health Tech
- Seattle Health Innovation award
- HAX incubator in Shenzhen, China
I spoke to Michael Gale FORBES Future In Focus.
Article in Lingerie Briefs
FemTech Focus Podcast
Join the #metoobra movement!