Lace, gauzy ruffles, and a clean calm fills a new business on Garfield street. The lingerie and underwear store Cutty Sark Intimates moved in over the summer—mannequins and clothing racks slowly populating the store for weeks before the grand opening on September 28.
Before moving to Parkland, the owner Culbreath-Bernstein had a few other studios—starting as a wedding photographer doing photoshoots for newlyweds. She gravitated towards boudoir photography because above all, what’s important to her is making people feel “confident in their own skin.” She chose Garfield St. because of the walkability of the area and the camaraderie from proximity with the Cabaret Cafe.
Culbreath-Bernstein had a photography business in 2008, but kept running into a repeat problem with clients. People were showing up to photoshoots with clothing that wasn’t right for them. She explained that “as comfortable as I’d want to make them before the shoot… they had a hard time finding things: they’d order stuff online and it wouldn’t fit or it didn’t look good on their body,” so she started selling pieces so she could help clients select lingerie for their shoot.
Over time, her inventory expanded and she now has an expansive selection of items ranging from XXS–4XL including: panties, bras, teddies, baby dolls, robes, and shorts. The store also offers bathing suits during the typical season. Culbreath-Bernstein enthused about the idea of styling full-body lingerie pieces, corsets, harnesses, or accessories with street clothes—saying you just have to be creative to “wear these cute things and show them” while feeling safe and confident.
While the store is still undeniably a lingerie store—a small shelf set tactfully near the counter offers sexual health and wellness items. This is now the closest place for PLU students to access these supplies. Her commitment to her philosophy of encouraging and teaching self-care on whatever journey people are on has created a safe space.
For clients interested in photography sessions, the store is set up to be easily converted into a photography studio whenever she has an appointment. A room in the back is set aside for Katie Marie Artistry, who does makeup, brows, and teeth whitening.
Culbreath-Bernstein is a person who cares about more than just running the shop. She wants to connect with clients and make sure everyone who enters her store leaves feeling better. She encourages people to look around and try things on, but more than that she’s there to help and listen.
