Breast Cancer Survivors Model Bras in Runway Event in 2011 – Art Bra Austin
The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) serves women with breast cancer, their families, spouses, partners, and friends. In order to help women of all ages, stages, and types of breast cancer, each year the BCRC has an Art Bra event in Austin, Texas where breast cancer survivors model bras for charity.
Breast Cancer Survivors Model Bras in Runway Event in 2011 – Art Bra Austin
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, at the age of 31, I had a hard time finding other women like me. Most of the support groups had people my mom’s or grandmother’s ages. Through the BCRC, I was able to find the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls. This is a group for young breast cancer survivors in Austin, Texas. Each month, there are kid-friendly lunches and meetings that cover everything from nutrition to fitness, fertility, career and dating issues. This group has been great for me. I didn’t want a true support group where you sit, get all mushy talking about feelings, though you can do that here if you want.
For the past 5 years, the BCRC has put together an annual GRAPHIC Art Bra Runway Show. Now, this event is Art Bra.
“Art Bras signed by Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Mack Brown and The Beach Boys, along with elaborate, elegant bras made by artists and celebrities, will be featured in the Art Bra Runway Show and Auction benefiting the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC).”
Art Bra Austin 2011
This year, at Graphic 5, I was one of the art bra models on the runway. I got to model a bra created by Cynthia Mason and signed by Bebe Buell (model, singer, Liv Tyler’s mom).
All bras were modeled by breast cancer survivors. It was very empowering for us. Some women, still in treatment, proudly walked down the runway bald. Many, like me, had undergone bilateral mastectomies with or without reconstruction.
Before breast cancer, I’m not sure if I ever would have strutted down a runway in a bra in front of 600 people.
Before the event, the models got spray tans, hair done, and makeup applied. I even got fake eyelashes for the first time ever! I was a very uplifting day. Throughout the day, there was a ton of energy and it was nice to be with upbeat, optimistic women.
Pictures from Art Bra Austin 2011 Benefitting the Breast Cancer Resource Center
Here are a few pictures from the BCRC Graphic 5 Art Bra Event on Saturday, April 23, 2o11.
- Photos courtesy of Bill Bastas
If you are interested in learning more about Art Bra, then head over to the Breast Cancer Resource Center webpage.
On June 18, you can attend Art Bra 2019 to support Austin, Texas women facing breast cancer.
Rachel Belkin is an Austin, Texas blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, freelance writer, and educator. After selling her lifestyle blog for six figures in 2021, she teaches business, blogging, and influencer marketing strategies that helped her build her business on part-time hours. Bylines include MSN, HuffPost, Medium, NewsBreak, and Hometalk. She has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, and other news and media outlets.
