The creator of the brand of special linen about life after mastectomy
AT 43 YEARS OLD NOELIA MORALES The successful owner of the consumer trends analysis agency found out that she has breast cancer. Wanting to regain confidence in her own attractiveness after a mastectomy, she invented underwear for women who have lost their breasts. Now Anna Bonny bandages are delivered worldwide. They are made by hand from silk, organic cotton and cashmere, there are versions with rhinestones and beach monokini. We talked with Noelia about her project, about cancer treatment and perception of our body.
About illness and treatment
I was informed of the diagnosis in 2015. The first thing that occurred to me: "This must be a mistake." But the doctors were not mistaken. The forecast from the very beginning was good, so I can say it was lucky. I wanted to get the necessary minimum of treatment, and we agreed with the doctor to proceed step by step. At first, only the tumor was removed, but when examining its edges under a microscope, it turned out that the entire gland was affected. Then I had a second operation - radical mastectomy, during which the entire right breast was removed. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy was not prescribed, but I am to receive hormone therapy. I decided not to do breast reconstruction, because it is long and difficult, and the results do not always correspond to the expected ones.
To be honest, I was not scared. I was incredibly supported by my family and my partner Mathias. Of course, life during an illness changes, if only because it is necessary to be engaged in treatment, go to doctors, make decisions. Nevertheless, I continued and continue to work and do what I used to: travel, spend time with my family, try to enjoy every day. I also seriously thought about how to support other women with breast cancer and tell them about what helped me.
About sexuality and taking your body
I wondered how to start feeling good naked again. Have you seen our commercial, where the heroine is talking to the breast that she lost, and says goodbye to her? I still miss my breasts, but it is important that she was never the basis of my appeal. I did not "use" the breast to please. Yes, I'm sorry that I lost it, but nothing was taken away from me, except for a deadly tumor.
I love sex, I like being naked, I believe that there is something beautiful in the scars too. My body gave life to a child, and I love it with all its features. In general, a beautiful woman is a woman who lives according to her own principles. The woman who controls her life and directs her; confident, brave "pirate". Appearance is not the main thing, but still it is important. Clothing and makeup are an important part of communication: they tell about who we are and what we think about, form a part of the personality. However, with a mastectomy does not come the end of attractiveness or style.
About the brand Anna Bonny
I made the first breast bandage myself, standing in front of a mirror. I cut off one cup of bra and put what was left of him, like a pirate bandage, in place of the lost chest. For the first time in several months, I looked at myself naked in the mirror with pleasure. I suddenly felt liberated and bold; My partner liked this new lingerie more than I expected. We decided to turn it into a whole project to help women who have experienced a mastectomy feel sexy and confident again.
Sales started just a couple of months ago. So far we are trying to form a base, but we are already thinking about the future expansion and possible options for cooperation. We have a lot to learn, and we hope that everything will work out. Now there are many products on the market for women who have undergone mastectomy, but almost all of them are designed to imitate the “normal” breast in one way or another with linings or fillers. Some bras look better than others, but the fact that they usually need to be bought in orthopedic pharmacies is depressing.
I called the project the name of Anna Bonnie, one of the few legendary women pirate. This lingerie does not deny the experience and does not try to recreate what is not. Outwardly, it resembles a pirate eye patch, but the association with the pirate is, of course, also a metaphor. I want life after mastectomy to be just an adventure, not a struggle. We try to ask customers about what they lack. After experiencing breast cancer, most of them begin to think about how to feel attractive again, how to enjoy sex and love your body.
In general, I admire any projects that make women and men stronger in every sense, help to understand how important and how great it is to make decisions independently, not allowing anyone to doubt them. For example, Barcelona recently hosted TEDx Women, where you could see and hear wonderful inspirational and motivating stories.
On the attitude of society
On the one hand, there is a reality in which, according to statistics, a sick woman is eight times more likely to be left alone than a sick man. On the other hand, due to my personal experience, these statistics simply do not fit in my head. The main engine of the Anna Bonny project is my partner Mathias. I have three brothers, a father, a husband, and a son, and I could hardly feel more respected, loved, and desired. I am very happy, but I understand that all situations are individual and not everyone is lucky as I am.
I can definitely say one thing: any serious illness is a test for relationships. Not only with a partner, but also with family, friends, colleagues. These are long, chronic diseases, during which you go through different stages, talk a lot and think about your condition, make difficult decisions, do not always be in a good mood. People who love you do not always understand how to act and what to say. When it comes to breast cancer, you also lose the organ involved in sex life - but I believe that love can defeat anything.
Of course, in society there are different opinions about the female appearance, including unacceptable for the modern man. But many people, on the contrary, show understanding, change their views and learn to be kinder. I hope to my six-year-old son to explain that life is full of adventures, and although they are not all good, they should not be afraid. I want to say to women of all countries of the world and Russia including: do not be afraid to be yourself. Take life into your own hands, make decisions - this is the most attractive.
Photo:Charli Kench for Wink Magazine, Anna Bonny
