Meet Susan
@stilettosinthevineyard
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your surgical journey
I loved my breasts before cancer and wearing clothes that showed them off. So when I had to face a double mastectomy after a lumpectomy, I knew I wanted to look similar. After meeting with the first plastic surgeon, I learned I didn’t have enough body fat for a diep flap and couldn’t choose a back flap because I needed physical strength to maintain my job. I wanted my new breasts to look natural and he recommended Natrelle implants under the muscle. There was some difficulty healing from my previous radiation treatments, so my first reconstruction was very disappointing, leaving me feeling ugly and uncomfortable in my skin. A year later, I learned about Dr. Nicole Sommer at SIU plastic surgery. She took on my complicated and slow reconstruction doing a Ryan flap to balance and fat grafting to enhance my Natrelle Inspire implants. It took 3 more surgeries, but I finally felt like me again.
We want to know, what does sexy mean to you?
Sexy radiates from inside the heart and soul. It is an energy that exudes from knowing yourself and owning your truth. It is a confidence coming from unabashedly owning your scars, failures and the effect you have on others.
What did it mean to you to participate in our photoshoot?
There were so many memorable facets to the day! I delighted in getting to know the other models and watching them bloom as the day progressed. The new line gave me some va-voom feelings, and I couldn’t wait to put them on! I felt so sexy and classic at the same time, imagining how I would integrate the new line into my wardrobe.
I too, came out of my shell and felt more radiant and comfortable in my skin. The sisterhood of support and love was palpable and deep. By being part of the photoshoot in Chicago, I felt included and seen, understood and embraced, all at the same time. I didn’t want the day to end, but afterwards, I felt like I was still carrying hugs with me, hence never alone. P.S. It was pretty cool watch the process unfold - seeing the new AnaOno line go from the hanger to a model and seeing Dana’s vision!
If you could describe AnaOno in one word, what would it be?
Empowering...Acceptance...Seen (I tried to keep it to one!)
Meet Jamie
@Spero_hope_llc_
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your surgical journey
We want to know, what does sexy mean to you?
To me sexy means, CONFIDENT. I think that no matter what your body type is, if you are comfortable in your own skin....THAT is SEXY
What did it mean to you to participate in our photoshoot?
It is always an absolute honor; I LOVE this company and have worked in some capacity with AnaOno since its inception. Dana is a ROCKSTAR, and I am so proud of her. She is changing the world for so many women.
If you could describe AnaOno in one word, what would it be?
LOVE
Meet Victoria
@__victoriaprice
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your surgical journey
I was diagnosed with DCIS in February of 2022 and also learned that I carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation meaning my safest option was a double mastectomy. Learning later that I wouldn’t be able to keep my nipples made the news even heavier for me— I loved my boobs and my nipples! I’m also an actor so I’m changing in front of people often in dressing rooms or backstage. So not only did I have to think about how I would be affected personally, or within intimacy, I also had to think about how many people would see me casually changing as it’s a part of my job. Overall, I’m thankful for the lifesaving decision I made with the help of my doctors. I’m a 31 year old Black woman actor and breast cancer survivor— and strangely enough I’m more confident now in my body than ever before. My foobs and no nipples don’t define me, but they are a part of me and I love them.
We want to know, what does sexy mean to you?
Confidence is truly key! I believe sexiness comes from within (and apparently so do the people on the streets of nyc bc chile I can walk to the bodega looking like an absolute trash can + still someone has something to say). But in all truthfulness, sexy means knowing and believing that you are that girl, or that guy, or that they/them. It’s not about body type or beauty standards at all. What’s sexy to me is being confident in the person you are while also knowing that that person is still learning and growing. We all have the capability to be sexy, it’s just about trusting and allowing yourself to be free in that way, and when you do you may feel awkward at first if it’s new for you but it comes easier and more naturally the more you allow yourself to believe that truth.
What did it mean to you to participate in our photoshoot?
It mean everything! Anaono has truly been a source of peace and comfort for the past 18 months. They were one of the first brands that I heard of when searching for post-surgery bras and I was able to connect with Dayna early on as we all know she is the most caring human. I’ve always been happy to support Anaono in any way I can so being in this shoot was so precious to me. And we also shot in Chicago which is home for me and also where I received my diagnosis so it was a very beautiful and serendipitous moment that I so appreciated. And thennn to find out I had a bra named after me? At that point throw me away I am unwell! The tears that flowed when Dayna told me I was wearing the “Victoria” bra I believe were a culmination of all that I had been through and a celebration of where I am now in my survivorship. I truly couldn’t be more thankful or honored— and if you know me, you know I live for a sexy black and gold moment. It’s giving!! To know that so many people affected my breast cancer (or who just want to feel sexy) will now have the opportunity to wear this bra means more than I could put into words. Just grateful, thank you.
If you could describe AnaOno in one word, what would it be?
Peace. Breast cancer rocks your frickin world. There’s so much you have to think about that you most likely wouldn’t have had to at that time in your life if cancer hadn’t decided to show up. But knowing that there’s a trusted intimates brand that not only has products that are exceptionally made, comfy, affordable, able to be purchased with insurance, and beautiful? And then created by a survivor herself?! There’s no question as to where I’m getting my bras, they’ve done all the work to make us feel comfortable and cared for—both two feelings that are quite foreign in the midst of treatment. Those tiny moments of peace are so vital for us to be able to remind ourselves we are still humans before we are patients, or survivors, or thrivers, or previvors. I definitely am thankful that I was able to have those moments of peace and I still feel that each moment I put an Anaono bra on.
Meet Narmda
@Baby_unbreasted
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your surgical journey
I had a giant lump in my left breast-after further testing all of my genetics were negative. Their surgeon recommended a lumpectomy, and she did a phenomenal job as it was nipple sparing. After the surgery, I did go through radiation to decrease my chances of reoccurrence
We want to know, what does sexy mean to you?
I feel sexy the most when I’m comfortable with the material and the looks of my outfit and it fits all of my body in the right parts. The entire mesh collections provides that- I felt sexy and confident the entire shoot!
What did it mean to you to participate in our photoshoot?
To participate in the photo shoot was so empowering. To get to see all my virtual breasties in real life and to be surrounded by people that knew exactly what it meant to go through with what we all did was so powerful. The collection was out of this world and it’s still so amazing to see what Dana created to make us all feel sexy and confident!
If you could describe AnaOno in one word, what would it be?
Empowering
Meet Monica
@the_monica_brooks
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your surgical journey
I came to my decision to have DIEP flap reconstruction over a period of four years. I remembered initially feeling so rushed and pressured to decide what to do and I was glad I waited to fully understand what I really wanted. I was flat on my right side during that time and was so thankful to have options for undergarments from AnaOno. No one should ever have to make these kinds of decisions on reconstruction from a cancer diagnosis, but I was thankful to feel the support from others.
We want to know, what does sexy mean to you?
Feeling sexy is like feeling ALIVE and comfortable in your own skin. It’s looking in the mirror and seeing your inner goddess illuminated. This is was the Mesh Collection did for me! I went back to my husband and told him about it immediately! I explained it was the first time I had actually felt sexy after my mastectomy. There’s no going back after feeling this sexy!
What did it mean to you to participate in our photoshoot?
Being included in the photo shoot made me feel seen. It was like someone coming up to me, taking my hand and saying, “I see you. Come join me.” It was moving to collectively see the beautiful faces behind a one-liner statistic. Faces of happiness, growth, loss, and many hardships. It meant, I belong here.
If you could describe AnaOno in one word, what would it be?
Compassion, Empowerment, designed with love!
