Wear Something Important
We’re so excited to be supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer for the 25th year running. For this year’s Wear Something Important campaign, we’ve created an exclusive four-piece edit featuring three statement tees and a pair of go-to jeans. 30% of every sale will go directly to Breast Cancer Now and help make world-class research and life-changing care happen.
Modelling this year’s collection are four inspirational women who have all been affected by breast cancer, sharing their personal experiences of being diagnosed and how it has impacted their identity. Meet Nisha, Fran, Nina and Sacha …
Tell us a bit about yourself ...
I’m Nisha, I’m 32 from Peterborough and I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29.
How has breast cancer and it’s treatment affected your identity?
Being diagnosed as a younger woman was hard. Going through a double mastectomy has changed how I feel about my body. It is easy to be hard on yourself and your body when you see a reflection that doesn’t feel like you. My body has changed but I have to own who I am. I can’t lose my identity because of my scars, they are part of my story.
How important is fashion to you? And how did it help when you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
Fashion and makeup, for me, is fun and playful. It helps me portray my personality and define who I am. I would go into treatment wearing a bright orange lipstick or in a pink kimono because I wanted to feel like myself. I needed that strength and to be in control of how I was perceived by others. I wanted to show off my personality, how chatty and flamboyant I am, through my clothes.
Has your outlook on life changed?
Yes, I think it has had to. I think going through something like this is life altering. The plans, hopes and dreams I had…you have to take a different or longer route to get there. I will get there. It will make me stronger. I don’t like being sad or angry – I’m an optimist.
What words of advice would you give to other young women going through breast cancer who may be struggling with changes to their body?
Try not to let it define you. This isn’t all you are.
How do you feel about taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign?
I am so excited! I feel very privileged and grateful to be part of a campaign to raise awareness and to do it through something we all love and live for. Fashion can help us express so much. I am here now and I am strong.
Tell us a bit about yourself ...
I’m Nina, I’m 39 years old from London and I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36.
How has breast cancer and it’s treatment affected your identity?
Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was not kind to my body. I was very judgmental of the way I looked and critical of the smallest things. But when I was going through treatment I could appreciate what my body was doing for me. That’s when I thought, ‘Why have I been so unkind to myself?’
When I was stripped of my features I felt born again. You really have to dig deep and find out what truly makes you beautiful. I saw parts of my face that I’d never seen or noticed before. It taught me to focus on the good things about myself. I was able to accept myself in a different way.
How important is fashion to you? And how did it help when you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
I believe in the power of dressing up to make yourself feel better. During treatment, getting dressed and putting on a good outfit changed my mindset and made me feel empowered. I would put my makeup and wig on for chemo, put my best attitude on, and think, ‘I’m tackling this.’
Has your outlook on life changed?
My outlook on life has completely changed, I’m a different person now. Cancer makes you stop and evaluate your life. I’m conscious of the time I give people and I’m a more compassionate person. At times when I was sick, all I could do was go for a walk, so I appreciate the smaller moments now. I want my daughter to value these moments too.
What words of advice would you give to other young women going through breast cancer who may be struggling with changes to their body?
Love your body and be kind to it. Stop, reflect and appreciate what you have.
How do you feel about taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign?
I’m so pleased to be supporting this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Campaign. I want other Biracial and Black women to feel represented and hopefully by sharing my story, this will help.
Tell us a bit about yourself ...
I’m Sacha, I’m 25 years old from Hampshire and I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24.
How has breast cancer and it’s treatment affected your identity?
I’ve experienced lots of changes since being diagnosed with breast cancer. Not just physical changes to my body but also emotional changes too. I have a different relationship with my body now. I don’t feel like the “old” me but I try and remind myself to be patient and give my body the time it needs to heal.
How important is fashion to you? And how did it help when you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
Fashion has played a big part in my life. It’s always been my way of showing my personality. During treatment, I looked at my old clothes and I felt lost because they didn’t feel the same. I look different and so the clothes that I used to wear a year ago don’t look the same on me anymore. I have to find a new me and that includes a new style.
Has your outlook on life changed?
Yes, it has. I don’t want to waste time doing things that don’t make me happy. You never know what the future holds so now I want to live in the moment.
What words of advice would you give to other young women going through breast cancer who may be struggling with changes to their body?
Be patient with your body. Recovery can be slow, but you will get there. Look after yourself.
How do you feel about taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign?
I’m so pleased to be taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. When I was diagnosed, I felt so alone, so I hope through sharing my story I will help others feel less lonely.
Tell us a bit about yourself ...
I'm Fran, I'm 26 years old from London and I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 25.
How has breast cancer and its treatment affected your body confidence?
Before my diagnosis, I didn’t appreciate my body. My job as a personal trainer meant I worked my body hard and was always striving to make it better. When I started treatment my whole mindset changed and I began to appreciate the fight my body was putting up for me. Just 24 hours after brain surgery I was standing again, all thanks to my incredible body.
I think fashion can definitely impact how you feel. During treatment, I would just wear the same thing to be comfy and now my day to day uniform is generally just activewear because of my job.So, when I dress up, it makes me feel really good.
Has your outlook on life changed?
I’ve learnt a lot about myself since being diagnosed with breast cancer and I have a new-found appreciation for what my body does for me. I’ve even decided to pursue a career in oncology fitness, to try and use my skills as a personal trainer to help others going through cancer.
What words of advice would you give to other young women going through breast cancer who may be struggling with changes to their body?
You don’t have to lose your identity when you go through cancer.
How do you feel about taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign?
I’m so excited to be taking part in this year’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. It’s nice to feel like something positive has come from my diagnosis. Knowing that this collection helps fund world-class research and life-changing care for other women, is really special.
Wear Something Important this Spring. By shopping the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection you’ll be helping to change the future of breast cancer.