manifesto. unleashed.

Rebel1in8 was founded in 2004 following my second breast cancer diagnosis since the age of thirty-six. Rebel1in8 has evolved into a personal mission to inform and nurture not just real breast cancer awareness but social awareness through shared vital resources, unveiled stories of truth and the deconstruction of conventions that lie within the post diagnosis world.

Rebel1in8 is not about cancer or statistics. Rebel1in8 is about moving forward well informed and guided by your own personal idealogies that surround your body and your future- from diagnosis to re-entering the world transformed and with a deep understanding of what it means to be challenged by a disease with mythological, social/political and real powers. This information is not just for the woman who has received a cancer diagnosis. These resources are for every woman, of any age, who may face a diagnoses in her future or may find herself supporting a relative or friend during this arduous journey. By unveiling the fear and unfamiliar terrain this information can become the compass towards healing, peace and dignity.

Rebel1in8 brings strength and awareness together by embracing thoughtful, diabolical and conceptual craftiness. It's not about feminism or femininity. It's not about trends or beauty. It's about having integrity and fearless attitude... with style.

Details of the founder:
My name is Jacqueline Skaggs, the sole proprietor of Rebel1in8. I am an artist born in beautiful Indiana and currently living in Brooklyn, NY. I am a committed crusader out to rally for dignity in a post-mastectomy world of oppressive conventions that lie deep in the folds of a pink satin ribbon. Am I out to enlist others? You bet. The ROiE mission involves the following:

1. Design and build a website offering resources and voices that provide information vital to surviving breast cancer with dignity and empowerment.

2. Act as a conduit to distribute these resources to those who may benefit from it.

3. Design, create and renovate clothing that inspires women to embrace their bodies and their right to be in the world with dignity by their own ideologies following the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnoses. It is time to bring our transformed bodies and how we clothe them out of the dark ages. It is my goal to bring post mastectomy clothing and lingerie out of the "closets" of hospital boutiques, out from "behind the counters" and free from "by appointment only" specialty stores and into mainstream venues. Rhea Belle garments are currently available in the Rhea Belle apparel store.

4. Guide breast cancer awareness away from PINK, the save our "boobs" mentality and exploitation of women through the farce that is "cause marketing" .

5. Provide an invitation to everyone to become aware and witness the subculture of breast cancer and the fundamental flaws that lie deep within it's language and empty promises.

6. Continue to create and sell cool/fun jewelry to support the above mission while inspiring a rebellion against the social and political side effects of this epidemic.