Celebrating Strength, Sensuality & Sisterhood
This International Women’s Day, we honour the fearless, the fierce, and the unapologetically feminine. At Verve Intimate, we believe in the power of self-expression, confidence, and the raw beauty that comes from embracing every part of yourself, body, mind, and soul.
In this special feature, we sit down with inspiring women who have stepped in front of our lens, businesswomen, mothers, creators, each sharing their journey of empowerment, resilience, and self-love. Through their stories and lingerie photoshoots, we celebrate the beauty of strength in all its forms. Because when a woman owns her power, she becomes unstoppable.
“Every day, I remind myself that my past challenges have made me stronger, and I choose to move forward with resilience and purpose.”
Twelve years ago, Rebecca faced the unimaginable, becoming a widow and raising two children on her own. The weight of grief, financial strain, and single motherhood tested her resilience, but she kept going.
How do you practice self-care and prioritise your well-being?
“I prioritise myself by starting my day with something beneficial to my health, whether it’s a sunrise walk, a gym session, or an ice bath. I take time for myself first, then plan my day before the household wakes up.”
Have you faced any major setbacks? How did you overcome them?
“I became a widow 12 years ago, and raising two children on my own has been a major financial and emotional challenge. Then, being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 taught me to finally prioritise myself and find joy in the small things. Clear the table, declutter, and invest your time only in projects or people who truly value you.”
I recently had surgery due to breast cancer. I wanted to regain confidence in my new appearance and appreciation for what my body has been through.
Coming to Verve to do a boudoir lingerie photoshoot means embracing your body and celebrating its strength and power. Rebecca is taking back her power after such a difficult time, reminding her that she really can do it all.
What does “self-empowerment” mean to you, and how do you embody it daily?
“I embody self-empowerment daily by prioritising my well-being, starting my mornings with activities that benefit my health, like a walk, gym session, or quiet reflection. I focus on what truly matters, decluttering both my physical space and my emotional energy by investing only in people and projects that align with my growth. Every day, I remind myself that my past challenges have made me stronger, and I choose to move forward with resilience and purpose.”
"Even when you think you've lost everything, resilience, support, and a bit of luck can help you not just survive, but thrive."
Aimee came in to do a lingerie photoshoot at Verve to empower herself, remind her of her strength, and feel sexy and seen. She has gone through a lot in her life, and she truly understands the meaning of picking yourself up and rebuilding the life you have always wanted.
Life knocked Aimee down, but she rose stronger. After surviving a brutal assault, losing her home, her job, and her beloved bulldog, she rebuilt from nothing. Now, she runs a thriving business, shares a beautiful life with her partner and his kids, and embraces every part of herself, including making peace with her insecurities.
“In late 2010, my life changed dramatically after I was seriously assaulted in the UK. I spent a month in hospital, and during this time my relationship fell apart – my boyfriend couldn’t cope with the aftermath of the assault. Since I was living in the Channel Islands and my residency was tied to our relationship, I lost not only my partner but also my home, my job, and had to leave my beloved bulldog behind. In the space of a month, it felt like everything I loved was gone.”
“In early 2011, my best friend Amber flew me back home to New Zealand. At 31 years old, I was homeless, penniless, and jobless. But I started rebuilding my life – first securing a position at a startup, then gradually piecing everything back together. Today, I run my own successful business, share two beautiful homes with my partner and his three amazing kids, and have two cheeky little pugs.”
How do you believe women can empower each other on a larger scale, and what steps can we take to create a more supportive community of women?
I think empathy and compassion are absolutely critical – you don’t know what that person next to you has been through, whether that’s yesterday or years ago. If we can come at all of our relationships like that, the world will be a truly great place.
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“What I learned is that even when you think you’ve lost everything, resilience, support from loved ones, and a bit of luck can help you not just survive, but thrive. My life now is better than I could ever have imagined back in 2010.”
This lingerie photoshoot is her celebration. A reflection of the bold, vibrant woman she is, owning her uniqueness with confidence and flair. Because empowerment isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it.
For Claira Violet, self-empowerment is woven into every outfit she wears. It’s the freedom to express herself unapologetically, to embrace creativity through style, and to turn even the simplest moments, like getting dressed for work, into an act of self-love.
Self empowerment to me means giving myself the freedom to show my self expression and creativity in the way I dress!
It means dressing up, even if it is just to go to work and rewearing my wardrobe in inventive ways.
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What stereotypes have you had to challenge as a woman?
“That women should be quiet and not have a voice! I’m slowly learning to be more assertive and go for what I want. It’s also meant that I’ve become even louder and bolder in the way that I dress.”
“That being emotional and expressive is frowned upon. I see it as a strength. I feel more in tune with myself more than ever. A boudoir lingerie photoshoot has really brought me out of my shell and helped me to embrace my femininity.”
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