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I'm Kelly - the founder of She Is Fierce! and your host on our blog featuring stories and wisdom from fierce women all over the world! 

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Lingerie and Swimwear for Breast Cancer Survivors

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Shopping for lingerie and swimwear is hard enough, but imagine shopping for a bra after a mastectomy or after surgery for implants. This is what thousands of women endure each year after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and having surgery, the choice to have implants or remain bare. Regardless of the woman’s decision, the selection of recovery intimates and lingerie barely scrapes the surface of a multi-billion dollar lingerie industry. The options that are dominate, are ugly medical devices that do not make any woman feel anymore sexy.

 

As a fashion show producer specializing in luxury lingerie and swimwear whose proceeds benefitted Breast Cancer charities, I quickly noticed that there was nothing for the women that I was actually benefiting! That’s when I began to research one question, “why not?” – well, my question was given the most beautiful answer I could ever imagine. Not only did I find lingerie and swimwear designed specifically for women who have had a mastectomy and/or implants, but I found women who were asking the same question along their own journey. This question inspired them to create new lines of lingerie and swimwear and ultimately dub their lines – for survivors by survivors.

 

Ana Ono Intimates

The first collection that I worked with, was with breast cancer survivor and designer, Dana Donofree of Ana Ono Intimates. Dana had launched her collection back in 2011 and by this time, 2014, things were really starting to pick up for. I love her slogan “Never Alone” – her promo video was a story of a woman who just had surgery and all the bras in her drawer just didn’t work, especially for those with lymphedema. Her brave, badass approach was to open up the eyes of not just breast cancer survivors, but women in general. I never thought that after having surgery, you’d have to reconsider the style and in this case, brands, of bras that you’d purchase if any.

Click here to watch the video & testimonial of Breast Cancer survivor trying AnaOno for the first time.

When I showcased AnaOno in my show in 2015, we had breast cancer survivors rock the collection. It was a powerful moment for everyone. We had given these women an opportunity to do something that they have never been able to do (model in a runway show) but also spreading Dana’s message of “[you’re]never alone”. The sisterhood formed between these ladies in less that 6 hours and the empowerment and strength that resulted, was priceless.

Click here to see photos

 

Red Fern Lingerie

Coming from down under, Aussie brand, Red Fern Lingerie is also a collection for post-mastectomy wear. Founded and designed by breast cancer survivor, Tina Douheli (who is also a speaker for the National Breast Cancer Foundation), Red Fern Lingerie is for sexy survivors. So many women who’ve had breast cancer, surgery, and have gone through the battle have felt that they lost their “sexiness”. The journey to recovery is so challenging – mentally and physically, Tina wanted to remind them that you are still beautiful, you can still be sexy, and here’s lingerie to prove it. Red Fern Lingerie is expected to expand into swimwear, gym wear, body suits, maternity bras and sports bras in the future.

 

Hulabelle Swimwear

Last but not least, is Hulabelle Swimwear. Founded & designed by breast cancer survivor Dana Dinerman. Based in Los Angeles, California, Dana’s story is while vacationing in Maui, Hawaii she needed a swimsuit that would cover the side affected by surgery and radiation but also wanted to look and feel great. Like others, she had no luck. So, she took matters into her own hands, began to research and created swimwear for not just survivors, but for any women looking for a suit to cover “all the right spots”.

 

I know there are several other brands, but these are just a few that I have worked with personally. These lines are truly designed by survivors and not a mass brand that just happens to have a mastectomy collection – there’s a difference. I hope to introduce more mastectomy brands to the lingerie and swim industry through my shows and relationships with buyers and boutique owners and ultimately show that “[we’re]never alone”.

 

 


ashley-victoria-smithAshley Victoria is a serial entrepreneuress, fashion show producer, blogger, and creative director. When she was 27, she decided she no longer was going to work for $10/hr after almost two years with no raise even with a 76% increase in leads and sales, but nonetheless – that fateful Monday morning she collected her things, threw up a few gansta peace signs and walked home. Ashley never looked back. After experiencing several hardships she met her bestie Ashley and they launched the Ashley Show to highlight smaller businesses predominately female owned, the underdogs, that weren’t getting credit for their had earned work. Say hello to Ashley on Twitter & follow her on Instagram or Facebook, or check out her website!

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