From a bra fitting to a lifelong bond, Rita Sullivan’s boutique has done far more than clothe women.

It has comforted, connected and empowered them.

When she rang her friend Kerry Nash one afternoon and asked, “Would you like to come and play with me on a Saturday?” it was more than a casual invitation.

It became the beginning of five years of shared purpose, kindness and deep friendship at Knickerboxers in Kiama, where women found care, comfort and something they didn’t always expect from a lingerie shop, genuine connection.

After decades of supporting women through every stage of life, Rita has sold her beloved business.

But her story is sewn with far more than stitches. It is a story of listening, helping and lifting others up.

Her retail journey began in Berry, where she and her daughter Catheryn opened The Fairy Shop, a small business that brought a touch of magic and imagination to their customers.

With a background in nursing and a heart for helping others, Rita brought empathy into every aspect of her work.

When she sold The Fairy Shop and moved into more specialised retail with Knickerboxers, she brought Kerry on board too, who also came from a nursing background.

Together, they created a space of care and dignity for every woman who walked through the door.

In Kiama, Knickerboxers became a sanctuary for women who needed understanding as much as they needed a proper fitting.

“It’s not easy to buy a bra,” Rita said. “But we make people feel comfortable. We help them feel like themselves again.”

Many of the women who came through the door had undergone surgery, including mastectomies or lumpectomies.

Others just needed time and kindness.

With every fitting came a story, and often a few tears. “Sometimes all it takes is a gentle hand on the arm and an ‘Are you okay?’” Kerry said.

“Then they turn to the mirror and see themselves as whole again.”

Word of mouth carried Knickerboxers far beyond Kiama. Customers came from Bathurst, Orange and the Sutherland Shire.

Some became long-term clients through mail order. But for Rita, it was never about sales. It was about creating a space where women felt safe, seen and supported.

That same spirit continues in her volunteer work.

Rita helped found the Kiama chapter of Zonta, a service organisation focused on empowering women and girls through education, advocacy and local projects. 

Rita’s strength has always been in building connections. She believes local businesses thrive when they support one another.

Whether introducing new shop owners to the community, or creating pathways for women to lead and belong, she brings people together with grace and good humour.

Although she has stepped away from daily shop life, Rita will continue mentoring Pia De la Vega, the new owner of Knickerboxers.

She will stay involved in Zonta and other local efforts, while her husband John carries on with his car hire and wine tour business.

In Kiama, a town built on community spirit, Rita’s story reminds us what business can be when it is grounded in empathy and purpose.

Her farewell is not an ending. It is a passing of the torch, from one woman to another, from one act of care to the next.