Burke resident Nicole Martin, 39, is celebrating a new chapter. The co-owner of Belle Mode Intimates has moved her boutique to the heart of Fairfax City — on heels of months of treatment for aggressive breast cancer.
For more than a decade, Martin has been a trusted ally to women facing breast cancer; fitting post-mastectomy bras, donating to local cancer support groups and helping survivors feel confident again. Last year, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and fast-moving form of the disease.
The married mother of two kids, ages 1 1/2 and 5 years old, underwent a grueling treatment regimen, which included six months of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy with no reconstruction in April. She is currently finishing up immunotherapy treatments, scheduled to end this December.
“I had a rough summer,” she says. “I didn’t realize how much chemo took out of me until now. I’m finally feeling my energy come back.”
Despite hospital stays and the physical toll, Martin remains optimistic. “I’m praying that I don’t have any more scares or recurrences,” she says. “I just want to move forward from here.”
Turning Over a New Leaf
And forward she is moving. Amid her recovery, Martin took on the challenge of relocating her shop — which opened October 18 in the heart of Old Town Fairfax.
“We love our new location,” she says. “It’s surrounded by small businesses, and I really feel a sense of community here. As a small business owner, you can get swallowed up by the big guys, but here, we’re all like-minded and supportive.”
The new store, located at 10427 North St., Suite 103, was designed for connection and comfort. The shop offers high end products and opportunities for private events.
“We built a ‘bra vault,’” she says. “It’s where we keep all our bras organized by size — we carry over 160 different sizes, far beyond what you’ll find at department stores.”
‘Comfort, Fit, and Dignity’
Martin prides herself on offering meticulous fittings and unmatched service. Since her diagnosis, she has also expanded Belle Mode’s post-surgical product line, using her personal experience to guide her business.
“I’ve realized there’s a real need for proper post-surgical bras and compression garments,” she says. “I’m still in physical therapy and wearing a post-surgical bra myself. I didn’t realize how important that was for recovery.”
The business owner has added new breast forms, compression bras and styles tailored to different body types to better serve women after mastectomy or reconstruction.
“Sadly, a lot of patients just get the hospital bras or order something online,” she says. “Now that I’ve lived it, I know how essential comfort, fit, and dignity are during recovery.”
Throughout her obstacles, support from Martin’s loyal Belle Mode customers has been unwavering. After closing Belle Mode’s previous location last February, navigating medical treatment and then tackling a challenging move, she feels hopeful — in her health and in her business.
“Moving your store is always a risk,” she said. “We lost a lot of business being closed for so long, but this new space feels right. It’s smaller, but full of community and purpose. I really feel like this is a fresh start.”
10427 North St., Ste. 103, Fairfax
Feature image of Nicole Martin, right, with employee Aly Johnson courtesy Michelle McCrady/Bacini Photography
