coming out of the woodwork.

Rhea Belle apparel will be featured in the September issue of Women and Cancer Magazine. An editor admitted that they have never addressed the population of women who decide against reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. This article will be the first to not only introduce this innovative clothing line but the refreshing personal and social ideologies that gave birth to their design and brave existence.

photo: the Rhea Belle songbird capelet dress/tunic.

flight.

caged bird, sing.

and

babies having babies.

"soul of my soul"

we should see other people.

between friends. and delicious honesty.

(an email from a friend)
If you feel like it, would you add your comments to this one? I know it's a painful post to read:

Comparing Our Grief Credentials
http://www.assertivepatient.com/2009/04/comparing-our-grief-credentials.html

Thanks,
Jeanne

*

jeanne,
i can't bear to read anything painful. so i won't. i will keep in touch with friends but staying away from blogs that deal with cancer- i feel like it hi-jacked 9 years of my life. finally dealing with it ...
i hope you understand.

love you, jeanne!
jac

*

Jacqueline--thank you for letting me know. Please do keep in touch with me when you feel you can--our friendship is NOT about cancer. Not anymore.

Much love to you.
Jeanne

"Say My Name"

"A film by Nirit Peled

Sisters, mothers, businesswomen, music artists—in a hip hop and RnB industry world by men and noted for misogyny, the unstoppable female lyricists of SAY MY NAME speak candidly about class, race, and gender in pursuing their passions as female MCs. From hip hops birthplace in the Bronx to grime on Londons Eastside, emerging artists to world renowned stars like MC Lyte and Monie Love, these are women turning adversity into art."

freaks. friends. and rebels.

ilo

a conversation between two kindred spirits...

Laurie
December 14 at 1:23pm
"It seems like it's a given that every woman who has had a mastectomy wants reconstruction. A given that you would put yourself through major, potentially dangerous surgery that is not guaranteed to provide the results you want. And then women are crushed when the surgery does not restore their breasts.
Me? I just want a decent bra. ;-)
love,
L.
p.s.: you are still my hero."


me (Jacqueline)
December 14 at 1:37pm
"i really don't know what i'd do without you. really.

i need to name the bra. all the words i/we have thought of have been used or the domain is taken. so i'm starting fresh. i have, in my head, a tone that id like to convey and think i should just make a list of adjectives and such. i'll keep you posted/share the list- but if anything pops into your mind- please do tell.

xo
jac."


me
December 14 at 1:41pm
"... i did have friend say once- who has never faced the experience...

"most women have reconstruction don't they? well, unless they're older, right?"

sigh."


Laurie
December 14 at 1:44pm
"Tomorrow, when the house is quiet, I will do some brainstorming.

And I find the whole reconstruction thing so frustrating. It seems that reconstruction is pretty much presented as just part of treatment for most women. Pisses me off."


me
December 14 at 1:56pm
"...it just seems like this bra needs to be out there- i mean OUT there. it will take a major launch and i want to do it myself- just not sure how.

yes, that concept of the recon being a part of the mastectomy experience also means that all the painful suffering and disappointment is "all a part of it" too.

i'm just overwhelmed and also a bit pissed off that this bra wasn't designed a long time ago and something we could pick up at target or victorias secret.

i'm planning a website just for the bra/launch. it will mean just forwading the word- maybe youtube, facebook, myspace, etc.

i've placed text on my blog to get things going..."


me
December 14 at 1:56pm
"talking to you helps SO much."


Laurie
December 15 at 2:55pm
"i like the text very much. and i know what you mean - if i even want a traditional mastectomy bra have to go out to some dusty corner of a suburban strip mall.
i do get my bras at target. they are sports bras and they come in all kinds of colours. they don't on the other hand, provide that much support...change needs to happen and i think that by being who we are, we help with that. if you weren't out there, I would feel like such a freak.
love,
L."


me
December 15 at 9:23pm
"it so funny you used the word "freak". i have always been reluctant to say it... although i think it a lot. especially when i get the feeling i'm on an island... one breasted and alone. ha!

and then i realize that i feel like a freak ONLY in the context of the oppressive "norms"- and the idea that reconstruction makes more social sense- but that's about it.

i'm SO lucky to have you in my world."


Laurie
December 19 at 12:58pm
"i feel the same way about you.

and i am on that one-breasted island with you!!!

much, much love-
L. xoxo"

Introducing Jen and Karen. a vision. and sensuality.

view details of a studio visit. designs by Jennifer Hartley and Karen Zaitzeff. 03.01.09

from the designers...

Jen and Karen are a made to measure design pair who live and work in New York City. Lending their effortless aesthetic to a select circle for two years now. They have attracted a loyal ever-growing clientele who affectionately hound the low-key pair for any injection of their perverse elegant style they can get. Jen and Karen have for the first time opened up their fantastic world with a limited offering exclusively to Rhea Belle apparel.

Inspired by the grace and innovation of Rhea Belle founder/head designer Jacqueline Skaggs, Jen and Karen were honored when approached to pioneer a collaborative effort, which is to become a new facet of Jacqueline’s burgeoning vision. Having researched the idea of a reshaped female silhouette the pair were excited to explore where the sensuality of this futuristic woman lies. They were not surprised that what they found brought them back to one of their long running mantras. Sensuality has no standard. Proud of that and in very familiar territory the two embarked upon a design journey that produced the creations we now have as Jen and Karen for the Rebel, Rhea Belle apparel.



photographs by Gwendolyn C. Skaggs