Bras with Attitude
The Artful Bra Tour Makes a Stop in Wildwood.
Written by Blair Townley; Photos Provided
They are the bras that Victoria wouldn’t be able to keep secret. They are bras with flair, spunk and bright colors that would turn anyone’s head.
On August 14th at the Wildwood Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, the decorated bras that are part of the nationally-known “Artful-Bra Tour” will be on display for all to see and marvel at.
The tour comes to Wildwood courtesy of the successful bid by the Wildwood Women’s Club after the GFWC/Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs chose the tour as one of their projects this year.
Although the 30-40 decorated bras range from humorous (the feathery Hooters Bra) to unique (“Prom”enade Bra) to touching (M&M Bra in memory of a seven-year-old diagnosed with breast cancer), the message of the tour is to promote awareness of breast cancer and care for our bodies.
“The purpose of The Artful Bra Tour, started from a project called ‘The Artful Bra Project,’ is to make the public aware of breast cancer, to memorialize those lost to the disease and to honor survivors,” says Roslyn Davidson, President of the Wildwood Women’s Club.
Bras of Many Colors, Sizes and Shapes
It’s not every day that you are given the chance to take a regular 36C bra and turn it into a work of art, but the ladies of the Wildwood Women’s Club were given that exact opportunity.
Member Terri Powell decided to create the “Mardi Bra,” which will be on display at the event, while in the midst of Mardi Gras events in Leesburg.
“Because of Mardi Gras, I had many, many beads! I felt I could put them to good use by creating an unusual and cheerful bra,” recalls Terri, who worked on the bra for several months to characterize that of a Mardi Gras mask.
Club member Judy Crowder also went for the playful bra idea with her “Prom-e-nade Bra” that resembles a pink prom dress.
“My artful bra is to represent that women must look at themselves inside and out to find all their true beauty. Beauty is NOT skin deep; so dress up, go to the “Prom” and have a fun life, but take care of all of you while you are doing it,” she concludes.
Several of the members helped the ladies make the bras, which took more time than expected.
“We had a meeting where all the members were trying to glue and sew and help people with their bras. You try to take a bra and try to cover it with something?” Roslyn states.
Bras with a Purpose
The hard work constructing the unique brassieres mirror the members’ hope that tour attendees realize how important regular breast care can help people in the fight against breast cancer.
Besides the featured bras at the event, attendees can speak with medical personnel and Relay for Life representatives and can also donate to breast cancer research.
“We wanted the event to be something people could come to and since we are trying to raise awareness of breast cancer, we want people to know what is available in the area to help you if you do have a problem,” Roslyn says.
Participating in the tour is also for personal reasons for the club as well, like Judy who had a friend pass away after being diagnosed with stage four cancer from inflammatory breast cancer.
“As I watched a beautiful woman wither away, I thought that if I could help make people aware of inflammatory breast cancer and save just one woman, it would be worthwhile,” she says.
A bra that will touch the hearts of many attendees will be the M&M bra, created by a 12-year-old girl in memory of her seven-year-old sister who died of breast cancer.
“When my sister and I would talk at night, we would take M&M’s from the candy drawer and count colors and eat a lot,” recalls a note attached to the bra.
“Some of the candy is broken, which at first I thought it looked bad. My sister liked the broken ones because she got so much attention when she was broken so she thought they only put the broken ones in the best packages.”
Whatever your reason is for coming to “The Artful Bra Tour” this Saturday, you will leave with your heart, and giggle box, touched. You might even want to go home and create your own “artful” bra.
Contact Roslyn Davidson, President of the Wildwood Women’s Club, at (352) 457-4936 for more information.
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