A CROSS-dresser, who was made redundant from his job testing televisions, is trying to make a business out of making fake breasts after failing to find other work.
Chris Blair tried for six months to find another job, but following months of rejected applications and being told he was over-qualified for many roles, the 33-year-old came up with his own money-making scheme after seeing a gap in the market. He said: “I’m a very upbeat and positive person but even I was on the verge of a total breakdown. We spent night after night trying to think of anything I could do.”

Mr Blair set up Bountiful Bosoms in March and is now making fake breasts at his home in St Peter’s Road, South Ham, Basingstoke, for other cross-dressers, or for women who have suffered breast cancer and do not want reconstructive surgery.

The gel bra is attached at the neckline with clear straps around the back and shoulders, so the realistic-looking breasts can be seen, giving men, or women, the option of wearing clothes which show off their fake bosom.
Mr Blair, who lives with his wife and two stepchildren, said: “We found that most, if not all, of the breast forms already available were either expensive and/or very unrealistic. I knew I could make better. “After three months of design and work, I have developed a one-piece chest prosthetic, or cleavage top, that allows someone without any breast tissue to appear to have breasts that can be seen and don’t have to be hidden.”

Mr Blair came up with the idea after coming close to having sex change surgery. He said: “About 15 years ago, I was living in the States and was scheduled for surgery after living as a woman for a year and a half. But then my liver packed up and I had to readdress my life and put things into perspective.”

He gave up on his dream of changing into a woman because the surgery was too risky. With spare time on his hands after losing his job, Mr Blair decided to offer a real alternative to going under the knife.

He now hand-makes the breasts and his wife Denise, 50, oversees the finished product to check it is realistic. A pair cost between £55 and £85, depending on the size, and it takes Mr Blair about a day to construct one set.
He took his new business to the Reading Pride event on September 4, and said: “We’ve had market stalls at Bristol Pride and Sparkle, and everyone has loved our stuff and commented on the realism.

“But unfortunately, as with most new small businesses we are struggling to get started. Reading Pride is our make-it-or-break-it event.” For more information, visit bountifulbosoms.co.uk.