Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in women. It is caused by a genetic abnormality of uncontrolled growth of breast cells. In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, throughout the whole of October we will be interviewing breast cancer patients and survivors to share their inspiring stories of strength.

Jenny wearing the Fournier Top, a breast cancer survivor and her daughter, Maggie wearing the Andie Dress.

“I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at 38 years old after discovering a lump on my breast. At the time, there was only one type of treatment available, which was Radiotherapy. I had to undergo 12 sessions of radiotherapy, with each session taking place every few days. Many people who discover they have cancer immediately dive into negative thoughts of dying, or how many months they have to live. I on the other hand decided to stay positive because all I wanted to do was beat cancer as I had a family to take care of. I never told them then, as I didn’t want them to worry about me – this will be the first time most of them will have heard of this! I've only told my mother-in-law because she was diagnosed with breast cancer too. I did my best to help her with household chores like cooking, and to support her in times of need even though I was suffering from cancer myself. After completing the initial treatments, I underwent regular check-ups in my first year followed by a check-up in my 5^thyear, 10^th year etc. I have since beaten breast cancer.” – Jenny

Sherlyn with Jenny and Maggie. 

Many women with small breasts have likely never found a bra that snugly fits with the appropriate depth and width. They exhaustively search for the perfect bra because having small breasts and not wearing a bra can make one feel somewhat less womanly (not that you need a bigger bust to be more womanly!). Fortunately, there are many options out there and it doesn’t mean resolving to a heavily padded bra that makes you feel like a pillow was strapped to your chest. It also doesn’t have to be going under the knife just to have some added cleavage.

Some tech-savvy women rely on the ‘liquify’ tool on Adobe Photoshop as well as the multiple apps available on smart phones to enlarge and lift their breasts in pictures. However this only applies to still images and can’t be translated into real life. Also imagine going through hundreds of pictures taken on a beach vacation and editing every one of them!

Photoshop magic. Image taken from www.wjunction.com.

There is also the option of using cosmetics to create a more pronounced cleavage. Dark shades are applied to areas of your cleavage where shadow should fall whereas lighter shades are used to highlight. The cons to this are that your make up might run throughout the course of the day and stain your favorite white top as well as that it takes a certain level of skill to perfect this contouring art.

Kylie Jenner’s breasts contouring make-up mishap. Image taken from www.dailymail.co.uk.

When it comes to bras, there are so many available options to choose from as well as so many different types of padding. A bra with an underwire gives a slight, natural boost and there are silicon pads that you could fit into your bra to create a fuller, heavier breast.

Besides a regular push-up bra, there is the ‘Invisible Bra’. This undergarment is seamless, strapless, and backless, making it look beautiful under your clothes. There’s no hassle of hiding your bra straps every time you wear an off-shoulder top or having your bra fastening seen when adorning your favorite backless dress. The additional cleavage is a great bonus. You can be ballerina-flat-and-perky in a tank top one minute and bursting out like a corseted burlesque dancer next.

We put our own VS Invisible Bra to the test on four real-life women with different breast sizes without the help of tape or body contouring;

Cheryl’s Original Bra Size: 32A

“I accept that I am flat-chested but seeing a little shadow between my breasts with the help of the VS Invisible Bra actually makes me feel quite womanly! It’s great that I have this option especially when it comes to wearing V-necked dresses.”

Leeah’s Original Bra Size: 34A

“Being a petite woman with naturally small breasts, I can’t believe how much of a difference the VS Invisible Bra looks compared to the bra I usually wear on a daily basis. It’s fun seeing how much more flattering and fuller they look.”

Michelle’s Original Bra Size: 34D

“I am already quite busty to begin with but the VS Invisible Bra offers the same support a normal under-wired bra provides me with. The plus side of wearing this bra is being able to wear strapless and backless dresses without committing the crime of straps being shown!”

Sherlyn Tan’s Original Bra Size: 32A

Our founder, Sherlyn Tan, recently put the VS Invisible Bra to the test. Who wants their invisible bra to fall off during an important event? It’s important for the invisible bra to be reliable in any conditions it is put under. She wore the bra while exercising followed by taking a dip in the sea to test its reliability.

In addition to looking bustier, the bra remained in-shape after being drenched in sweat and the glue still maintained its stickiness after being submerged in seawater. (We personally do not encourage you to wear the bra to swim or to workout, this is mainly to test its reliability).

The VS Invisible Bra.

We first noticed Natasha Capol while having an evening drink at Mr. Brooks, a hidden bar that serves up stylish concoctions in a quiet nook of Bangsar Shopping Center. Natasha, a master mixologist and brand/area manager for a number of household names such as Mr. Brook’s and Tate under The BIG Group, turned out to be much more than meets the eye. Her story is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Here, she shares with us snippets from her time dancing Salsa in Spain, to overcoming a difficult part of her life following an accident by reminding herself on ‘The Theory of Awesomeness’, to her present career in the Food & Beverage industry.

Please give us a little introduction of yourself?

I grew up in Malaysia before moving abroad to Europe at a very young age. I learned dance in Spain before pursuing a degree in acting in Singapore, followed by working with a design company in Switzerland. I currently live in Malaysia now.

Natasha in the Achille Dress from Sher By Twenty3.

That’s quite a life! Having lived in so many locations, was it difficult moving from one place to another?

Well, I moved to Spain without knowing any Spanish. At that time, hardly anyone in Spain spoke English. I had no relatives in Spain and I think I had about 100 Euros in my pocket. My parents asked me, “Why did you want to go to Spain?” I said, “I don’t know? I just feel like it!” I was at a very young age when I decided to move abroad alone. I remember when I first arrived; I took a train into the center of Madrid. They have these telephone booths with little tags on it that have a number you can call to rent a room or whatever. Armed with a little translation book in my hand, I called the first number. The first one didn’t speak English nor understood my ‘try-hard’ Spanish, however, on the next call, there was this lady who spoke a little bit of English. She ended up taking me in and I was fine. I managed to get a job as a waitress as well.

Were you not afraid as you were alone and moving to a country where you didn’t know the language?

I guess at that age, I was fearless, I felt like I could conquer the world. Growing up in Malaysia, you are constantly faced with so many challenges. You come out not as a normal, ordinary person, but one that’s toughened. I had a tough time fitting into school despite achieving good results. It was difficult for me to get accepted into college but eventually I was accepted with a partial scholarship as well. When you go through things like that, you have a different focus, energy and drive. I live by the mantra of “accomplish or do not begin”. You just go out there and do whatever you want to do.

You mentioned you danced in Spain; tell us a little about that?

My passion has always been dance so I started going to Salsa clubs to dance the night away. One guy invited me to join his Salsa group. I was like “sure, why not?”. They were mostly Colombians and Venezuelans. Old ladies taught us how to dance; they tap on your chest so you learn to feel the beat that way. The men would lead you around the dance floor. When I used to dance in competitions, nothing was choreographed, you just danced to whatever music they were playing. Dance is about living in the moment and having the freedom to move and the freedom of expression.

 Natasha in the Achille Dress from Sher by Twenty3.

So why did you decide to move back home after living abroad for so many years?

While I was in Switzerland, I was in a really bad car accident that left me hospitalized for a long time. On top of that, someone close to me had passed away from that accident. I went back to Spain for another 5 years to get away from that situation. I went back into dancing after my broken bones recovered and, having regained my joy for life, I decided to move back home to be closer to my family.

How did you manage to recover emotionally from that period of pain?

My family deals with situations like these by just getting over it, without time to grieve or mourn. I grieved alone during those 8 months in the hospital.  You just tend to deal with the consequences as they come and there were many. I didn’t let anyone talk to me even the psychologists and therapists. I had so much rage and anger inside me for a very long time but after a while you realize that hey, I am still alive.

What kept you going?

It required a lot of self-endurance for the first couple of months because it was such a difficult period in my life. For a lot of it, I tried to stay as positive as I could. I have this theory called the “Theory of Awesomeness”. It’s people trying to be the best they can (thus being awesome) and that applies to me as well. It’s the same as always trying to be the best version of myself. When you go through things like this, you realize how strong the human mind and body is. You then realize how strong someone can be. Also, I used to do a lot of charity work and see kids go through a whole lot worse. Finding motivation and inspiration from people who have nothing but manage to survive due to the world working this or that way, pulls me through.

Natasha in the Savannah Dress from Sher by Twenty3.  

So why did you decide to path a career in the Food & Beverage industry?

The reason I’m in F&B right now working for The BIG Group is that it’s the only thing I know other than acting and dancing. I was working in bars as a dishwasher when I was 12 years old. I’ve climbed that ladder to get to where I am. I’ve been a dishwasher, a waitress, a bartender, and I’ve worked my way up. I didn’t get to where I am because daddy gave it all to me. I worked at the age of 12 to buy toothpaste for my family. That’s my upbringing.

So how long have you been with the BIG Group?

I’ve been with them for two years. I’m in charge of Mr. Brook’s, Tate, and Barlai to name a few. I’m in charge of many brands under The BIG Group.

Is it difficult to manage so many brands as well as your staff at the same time?

I’ve realized that people don’t need to be managed. It’s the process that needs to be managed. I have this thing I call “Brules”, which is short for “bullshit rules”. If you give me a rule, I’m going to break it. There are so many rules and regulations for everything, especially in Malaysia. Giving my staff a say and an opportunity to take ownership at what they do is a better option, as long as they don’t step over boundaries and work according to their responsibilities. You tend to realize that many people won’t overstep their boundaries when they’re given freedom.

However there are a few that do, and it breaks my heart, as I treat them like my family. Someone really crossed a line once so I asked him to pack his bags because I gave him a chance that was his key to an opportunity, but he let me down.

Do you usually give second chances to people?

They all end up asking for a second chance, whether I give it or not is a different question. It’s never final but it’s the way they approach the situation, the severity of it, as well as if they’re apologetic. I gave someone a second chance once and that person turned out to be pretty amazing. Everyone makes mistakes; I made so many mistakes myself.

 Natasha in the Savannah Dress from Sher by Twenty3. 

What is the best advice that you could possibly give your staff, or anyone at all?

Many people tend to set realistic goals. I ask myself, “...Why?”. I think people should set unrealistic goals because that’s what you should be trying to achieve, like the saying, “aim for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars”. However, I do feel that there is so much Malaysian talent and stories to tell but there’s a lack of opportunity.

Have you ever thought of going back into acting?

I do want to use the skills I learned from acting but maybe to host documentaries or travel shows. I’ve acted in a few shows in Singapore but I didn’t really enjoy it. I would love to host documentaries on controversial topics and things people aren’t aware of, like child prostitution, human trafficking, and things like that. My ultimate goal is to help children.

Any other hidden talents we should know about?

I did Kung Fu for 10 years in Penang, and I was the only non-Chinese there, and I can also speak Hokkien!

Seems like you are an avid traveller, what’s the next destination on your bucket list?

If I ever go to Cuba I’ll never come back, so that’s for last. South America is also last because I’ll never want to leave. Maybe somewhere close to home since I’ve travelled all of Europe; somewhere like Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam. I guess places like Papua New Guinea, Kazakhstan, Bhutan, places like those. Anywhere that inspires the mind.

Project Canvas began as a customer-driven project in our research division. The project sought to explore and expand new boundaries in terms of design, fabrics and construction methods by involving our customers in the R&D process. Items were attractively priced in order to get as many responses as we could. Customers were polled shortly after receiving the items, which provided valuable feedback and insights into the direction of our future productions.

Of the 99 customers polled, we found that comfort was the most important aspect that affected a customer’s purchase decision, followed by the design and the price.

We then asked our customers for feedback on the specific Project Canvas products that they’d purchased, and we gained some very valuable insights. We’re glad to note that the new stitching and construction methods we’ve employed were well received, as well as the new fabrics that we’d created.

However, we do note that there is room for improvement in terms of the wearability of the products. Here are the main issues that were brought up, highlighted and solved in our latest launch:

1. Dresses are heavy and stiff

The fabrics used previously were made of a heftier weight thus making the dresses heavy and stiff when worn. Lighter weight fabrics were developed without compromising on the quality and the structure of the dresses. Drapes and seams were designed and placed in strategic areas to improve comfort and wearability without making the customers feel bulky. The new lighter fabrics also addressed another common complaint, that the dresses were too warm for the local climate.

Project Canvas: Twenty3 Diaronne Dress

2. Length of dresses are too long

The newly relaunched Diaronne Dress and the new Hren Dress feature shortened lengths that are measured from the center back nape to the hemline. A raised waistline of 1 inch is also introduced to make the body proportion balanced.

Project Canvas: Twenty3 Diaronne Dress

3. Fabric wrinkles easily

The newly sourced fabric is composed of microfiber and a poly-cotton blend that does not wrinkle easily in the wash, saving the hassle of ironing.

Project Canvas: Twenty3 Hren Dress

4. Sizing is not consistent. 

The implementation of a stricter grading process will assure the consistency of sizing of all collections in the future. Samples are produced in all sizes and fitted on our in-house models before approval for mass production. 

Few things are as lyrically powerful as an expectant mother. Pregnant women are a life-bearing force of nature. However as the growing bump peeks out through button-down shirts and slides across the waistline of your skirt through passing weeks, it no longer becomes a secret from the first trimester. Facing the closet every morning for something to wear suddenly becomes a challenge, moods would shift from confusion to terror; I have nothing to wear!

Pregnancy does not mean abandoning your personal style in order to adapt to your growing bump. You don’t have to fall victim to the dreaded maternity dress. It just requires a little imagination and a whole lot of confidence to dress that bump, whether you’re carrying high or low, small or big.

Here are some inspirations to help you get over the hurdle of dressing through your pregnancy through these casual-chic looks accompanied with comfort and style:

1. Stretchy fabrics that flow over your belly, hips and thighs provide a silhouette that shows off your shape, such as the Ovidio Dress and the Shelbie Dress. The dresses accentuate the beauty of your bump without making you look larger.

Pei Woon (left) 8 months pregnant, wearing the Ovidio Dress in Grey, size XS; Reesa (right) 5 months pregnant, wearing the Ovidio Dress in Black, size L.

Pei Woon (left) 8 months pregnant, wearing the Shelbie Dress, size XS; Reesa (right) 5 months pregnant, wearing the Shelbie Dress, size M.

2. The black Zelia Top paired with black Ibbie Culottes provide a look composed of a cool, relaxed, effortless day-to-night look.

Reesa, 5 months pregnant, wearing the Zelia Top in Black, size L and the Ibbie Culottes Black, size L.

3. For women who embrace colour, the Fronna Skirt is a more colourful option. Paired together with the Cybele Top, the cross-split hemline leaves room for the baby to grow. 

Pei Woon, 8 months pregnant, wearing the Cybele Top in White, size S and the Fronna Skirt, size M.

4. Statement pieces help draw the eye to your bump, and portrays an air of confidence. The Marcella Dress adds an edge to your bump for subtle strength.

Reesa, 5 months pregnant, wearing the Marcella Dress, size L.

5. The Dexie Dress and the Penelope Dress have an empire waistline, allowing your baby bump to grow from your first trimester into your third trimester with the advantage of being able to wear the dresses post-pregnancy. The longer length of the Penelope Dress will help you through the months when your baby bump grows larger and your skirt gets shorter.

Pei Woon (left), 8 months pregnant, wearing the Dexie Dress in Black, size S; Reesa (right), 5 months pregnant wearing the Penelope Dress in Grey, size M.

Reesa (left), 5 months pregnant wearing the Penelope Dress in Grey, size M; Sherlyn (center) wearing the Zelia Top in Black, the Ibbie Culottes in Black; Pei Woon (right), 8 months pregnant wearing the Dexie Dress in Black, Size S.