Works of art, born from lingerie

Seeing these highly decorated art bras displayed en masse conjures up images of a strong, feminine army, individual in design, and ready to combat the trials and tribulations of breast cancer. In just two short weeks, the public will have the opportunity to join in their fight.

On Thursday, March 19, nearly 200 art bras will be auctioned off during Creative Cups, a biennial fundraiser for the oldest women’s breast cancer hotline in the country — the Adelphi New York State Breast Cancer and Support Center. The event will be hosted by WNBC co-anchor and breast cancer survivor Pat Battle, and will be held at the university’s Ruth S. Harley University Center. Festivities begin at 6 p.m.

The bras, objects d’art that reflect the artistic expression of lives affected by breast cancer, are so beautiful and creative that it’s almost impossible to remember that they started as off-the-rack, 36C, padded underwires. While many are created by lay people, artists and celebrities also contribute entries, like the granddaughter of Betty Boop’s creator, who created her bra in honor of her mother who died of breast cancer when she was 11.

Deborah Gordon, a Malverne resident, became involved in creating a bra after hearing Battle discuss the event on TV. She immediately convinced her friends, Sandy Crosby and Jodi Morello to create a bra too. Gordon, whose bra is called “Mardi Gras Garden Party,” said her creation grew out of many different things, and was a way to honor her sister and several friends who have been battling breast cancer.

Crosby’s bra entry, “Burst Your Bubble,” is covered in chained bubble gum wrappers and real bubble gum. “When I was small, my mother made the mistake of buying only one box of Bazooka gum for my sister and me to share. Well, we weren’t going to share the box, and we were having this tug of war when suddenly the box blew open, bazooka gum went flying everywhere. We looked at each other, laughed, and we weren’t mad at each other any more,” she said. “That moment stuck with me forever — you never know what’s going to happen in the next instant.”

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Lingerie Shop Designed with Breast Cancer Survivors in Mind

WINCHESTER, Va. – Whether it’s the uncomfortable process of getting fitted, or dealing with self-esteem issues while trying on colorful lace – picking out lingerie isn’t always an easy process.

But for women recovering from breast cancer surgery, that uneasy process sometimes isn’t even an option.

“Every time I went in to get my prosthesis and bras, [the store] was so medical,” said Martinsburg resident Bonnie Bell. “There were so many white walls, and the first thing they would say was, ‘how do you feel?’ And I would say, ‘well, I don’t know. How am I supposed to feel?’”

Inspired by her own experiences with cancer, Bell decided she was through with the white walls.

On January 20, Bell opened up BB’s Health Boutique and Fine Lingerie in Winchester, a safe and fun place for women recovering from breast cancer to purchase their medical bras.

“I didn’t have any money. I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I wasn’t an entrepreneur,” Bell said. “The only thing I knew about prosthesis [was how to put] mine on, and that was it.”

Bell’s first experience in a “health boutique” was April 2008, when she visited a store in Rockville, Md.

“I stepped out the dressing room, and I just started crying,” she said.

For the first time since being diagnosed with breast cancer, Bell said she finally felt pretty and feminine in her undergarments again.

“After that, I just knew this was what I was meant to do,” Bell added. “And that was how it all started.”

Having been diagnosed with cancer four times in the last twenty years, Bell said she knows exactly what her clients are going through, and what they want.

“We’ve already had cancer! We’ve already been sick! Our fun doesn’t stop because we got sick,” Bell said, with a laugh. “I wanted to have pretty things. [Once I had them,] I wanted to be able to fit more women.”

Not only can clients purchase the necessary prosthetics and undergarments needed after a double mastectomy, but also wigs, hair scarves and other lingerie designed for breast cancer survivors.

“We’ve got shampoo for wigs, and for real hair, bustiers, chemises, robes, nightgowns,” Bell said.

Bell also has plenty of products designed for all women, whether they are a breast cancer survivor or not.

“I tried on this chemise that didn’t have a cup [to hold my prosthetic breast], and I felt so pretty. My husband loved it. He even asked, ‘do they have any more colors?’”

Bell said the main reason for opening up the health boutique, which is a 501c3 nonprofit, is to help families recover from cancer.

“When you get sick, it shakes the whole household,” Bell said. “This was the best thing I could have done, because now I can help all women.”

All proceeds from the shop go to benefit the nonprofit foundation Breast and Body Health Inc.

You can learn more about Bell and her health boutique by clicking here.

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