Sasha Lee Vurnakes

2017 40 Under 40 Honoree

Local Heroes

Owner

Sasha Lee's Romance Boutique

Sasha helps women find their inner and outer beauty.

“Shortly after opening the boutique I realized that regardless of your own appearance we all have hang ups about our physical self and we are very critical when we’re in minimal clothing such as lingerie. This is where the idea for Sasha Lee’s Annual Lingerie Fashion Show came from. I wanted to show my community that beauty and sex appeal doesn’t come in just one standard form. I wanted to show that attraction comes in different ways and we are all equally worthy and alluring,” said the entrepreneur. “I developed the idea of presenting Sasha Lee’s lingerie on the runway but instead of using hired professional models I would use everyday customers. After all, that is who I wanted to speak to.”

She explains that she put out a call for volunteers of all sizes, ages, and shapes to be models. The response was overwhelming with literally hundreds of volunteers. For Vurnakes, the response confirmed that the community was eager to participate in something that was, in her opinion, transformational.

“For several months, I worked with these volunteers, alongside by team of experts, helping them to get comfortable with the idea of being on stage in front of a crowd. It’s quite incredible to see the models blossom with confidence and self-acceptance. It’s absolutely my favorite part of the process.”

After hours at the boutique, Vurnakes offers Burlesque Chair Dancing and Boudoir Portrait Sessions, bringing even more transformational events to the area.