CRISSCROSS Intimates Celebrates Five Years
Jean Criss
Five years ago, on April 15, 2017, CRISSCROSS Intimates, LLC launched an e-commerce site offering post-surgical undergarments for women and men. Feel Confident, Look Beautiful or Handsome.
Since then, the utility-patented line expanded with innovation and determination to bring post-surgical contemporary designs to market. Initially products were sold exclusively in the US and Canada, extending overseas collaborating with domestic affiliates and social sites; Zappos Adaptive, Zappos.com, Faire, June Adaptive, Ricky and Patti, Etsy, CrateJoy, Poshmark, Facebook, InstaGram, Amazon Global Marketplace, Amazon Seller Central, etc. We launched one platform at a time, had multiple photoshoots, and got creative.
I learned so much about affiliate brand marketing as I did with sourcing, product design and development, production and manufacturing as a fashion startup. Over time, with dedication and perseverance, each new business partnership helped push us forward. We often outsourced to leverage partner expertise, to capitalize on tasks at hand. By doing so, it freed up certain tasks that took myself away from the core business. What most entrepreneurs learn best as a small business owner is how to juggle. Time management and organization is key. Knowing your strengths -- when to let go to outsource, bring in the experts, when to delegate, are positive attributes. I think good leaders know that no one business can succeed if you continue to manage all aspects of the business yourself. The number of subcontractors may fluctuate as the business needs change. Project management, expertise, strategy and direction are all important factors.
Now I know where my time is most valuable, how I can be most effective in the marketplace, what distribution channels work, those that are not as effective for my product niche or category, how best to reach new audiences, etc. My well-rounded media, marketing, and sales leadership background has provided me the necessary skill set leading up to manage a startup like this.
About the Brand. Initially, the CRISSCROSS Collection included the Nina Bra, Christina Bra, Briefs, Thongs, Medical Pouch, Joe and Arrow Men’s Vests. Today, we sell several SKUs that complement the line including Bralettes, adhesive Bras, Prostheses, Bra enhancers, Bra inserts, Leggings, post-surgical Shapewear, organic Soaps, Bags, and like Products for total post-surgical solution. Servicing customer needs as our core interest.
The Nina Bra was designed for mastectomy, lumpectomy, augmentative and reconstructive breast surgery and is now also worn by people with disabilities in the adaptive market showing the versatility, ease of use and comfort especially with the magnetic crisscross wrap design and racerback. The Nina Bra also features detachable loops which hold side medical drains during recovery and are removable, then, can be worn as active wear during yoga, Pilates or other sports or with an optional Crisscross Pouch at one’s side (inside robe or shirt). This affordable Bra was designed to support all stages and phases of post-op Breast Surgery. SRP $69, insurance reimbursable L8015, sold in 9 attractive bright colors, 5 sizes (small – 2XL which fit bra bands 30 – 42, A-D cups).
The Christina Bra, a contemporary, wireless pocket Bra designed with Prosthesis inserts for single or bilateral mastectomy patients. SRP $89, insurance reimbursable L8015, available in 2 colors (black and white), 5 sizes (S – 2XL). The inside Bra pocket lining is made with revolutionary new fabric that provides performance technology that lasts a lifetime – never to wash out or breakdown. Over 60% of energy we consume is lost to escaping body heat. This fabric puts your body heat back to work, turning energy normally wasted back into infrared light.
The Crisscross Joe and Arrow Vests designs offer sleek compression and comfort as shapewear while holding medical drains during post-recovery. A full selection of compression tanks, tops, and tights are sold to complement the men’s line. Sizes M – 4XL prices starting at $45 SRP, styles in black, nude, white.
Complementary seamless Briefs and Thongs (ten beautiful bold colors, sizes S/M – L/XL), and Leggings sold to mix and match the women’s Bras. Bundle Packs and other compression undergarments are also offered. Future patented designs with samples have been market tested and are ready for manufacturing upon funding. If interested in investing, please contact info@crisscrossintimates.com.
** FIVE **
There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t remember close survivor family and friends who passed away from cancer and thus, the trademark and style names were innovated and dedicated in memoriam. As an advocate supporting related causes for years with heart and soul, I kept giving back. As a Board of Trustee at Susan G. Komen, I extended media, marketing and sales expertise with brand awareness, sponsorship sales, advertising, PSAs, and education to the pink sisterhood (and brotherhood) of survivors that have criss-crossed my path. I support many other breast cancer organizations and ventures including conferences, exhibitions, sponsorships, speaker engagements and donations, to help find a cure to put an end to breast cancer forever. While these efforts continue, I know I have made strides and am proud of these accomplishments over the years.
It took time and commitment to focus on building a brand from the ground up. I utilized my media and marketing prowess where I began honing in on these deliverables at Jean Criss Media, as a creative digital media business servicing B2C/B clientele. To-date, Crisscross has received award-winning ISO awards and certifications, participated at Hollywood celeb events, had thousands of press article mentions, participated on blog talk shows and podcasts, established affiliate partnerships. . . while maintaining an e-commerce site to further extend our pink reach.
I was once told it would take five (5) years to successfully launch a brand and now I understand what that tech exec meant. I got involved, touched all sides and aspects of the business, and truly concede it takes time to effectively grow and establish brands in any marketplace. I look forward to servicing the healthcare and retail community with new fashion designs, using emerging trends and revolutionary textiles. By offering contemporary, sexy and unique design elements that allow me to expand beyond traditional utilitarian mastectomy styles currently sold in the market. I personally didn’t feel confident or look beautiful when I left the OR room and throughout my recovery wearing those uncomfortable, unattractive Bras. My ultimate goal, five years ago, was to change a patient’s intimate experience and focus on revolutionary, new fashion design innovation.
Special Offer:
FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROMO
Good Thru Mother’s Day!
(May 8, 2022 | Midnight)
Buy 3, Get 1 FREE (Buy any 3 Crisscross items – Bra, Brief, Thongs, receive a GIFT!) Promocode: THREE (Crisscross Bras, any panties)
Five is ALIVE (Buy any 5 Crisscross Undergarments, receive 25% off entire order) Promocode: ALIVE (Crisscross Bras, any panties)
Five and Thrive (Buy any 5 Items – get 15% off entire order!) Promocode: THRIVE
(Bras, bralettes, panties, leggings, vests, tanks, compression garments, accessories)
Shop any of our CRISSCROSS Product Bundles or Specials (discounts included).
As a recognized leader in fashion and film, I attended the exclusive La Jolla International Fashion Film Award Festival 2021 and will in 2022, where fashion meets the film entertainment industry. I enjoy writing, blogging, and participating as a fashion designer, networking with peers. For almost a decade I have served as a Contributing Writer for various media publications and on the communications committee at New York Women in Film and Television where I blog, write social media posts, and support gala events. Previous published articles on fashion and/or film include; Fashion & The First Ladies, Crisscross Hits LJIFFF Awards, Go Local: Select a Manufacture as a Start-Up, Small Brands Transforming Adaptive Clothing Apparel and others found here. At JeanCrissMedia.com, we offer creative content and digital media services with innovation.
Learn more, contact jean@jeancrissmedia.com for help to reach your business goals, for press or media inquiries. Crisscross Intimates undergarments are Made in the USA.
Jean Criss is an Author, Mediapreneur, Innovator and Fashion Designer. Learn more here.