Photography: Emily chalk.
Every year, more than 3000 Kiwi women receive the life-changing news that they have breast cancer. But Breast Cancer Cure is on a mission to change that number. Returning for the 11th year, its Tees for a Cure campaign combines fashion with purpose to raise funds for cancer research. Woman’s Weekly talks with three of this year’s designers about their personal connection to this important cause.
Jenny Joblin, 48 Federation founder
What does the Tees for a Cure cause mean to you personally?
It is incredibly close to my heart. I lost my mum to breast cancer when I was 17, and my brother was only 14, so being involved was an immediate yes for me. Finding a cure is something society so desperately needs, with cancer affecting so many people, and it’s something I’ll always want to support in any way I can.
Did you approach this design differently knowing it was raising money for breast cancer research?
Whenever we create a design for Breast Cancer Cure, we make sure it carries a meaningful message. This time, I wanted it to be about strength and hope. “Pressure makes diamonds” felt perfect because cancer puts people and families through the unimaginable, but the message also relates to the pressures life can bring. Everyone has their own story and their own journey.
What does the idea of finding a cure for breast cancer mean to you?
It means children not having to lose their mums, families spending more time together and people getting to live the futures they should have had. Having experienced that loss so young, finding a cure means absolutely everything.
Kiri Nathan, 53 Kiri Nathan founder
Why did you want to be part of the Tees for a Cure project?
Breast cancer is something that feels very close to home for me. Both my mother and grandmother had breast cancer before they passed, and it runs through our whānau on both my Māori and Pākehā sides. Because of that, my sister and I have always been very conscious of getting checked, knowing that breast cancer may also be part of our own journey one day.
I’ve also been surrounded by friends who have experienced breast cancer. I’ve watched people I care about navigate the ruthlessness of chemotherapy, treatment and surgery, as well as the complexities of both the public and private health systems. Beyond the physical impact, I’ve seen the enormous toll it can take on mental and emotional wellbeing, not only for the person going through it, but for their whānau and those who love them as well.
So Tees for a Cure was an easy yes for me. It’s an opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to the research and mahi being done to find a cure, while also supporting better systems, stronger data and greater understanding around the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Where did the idea for your design come from?
This year’s design was created in honour of Wāhine Toa Firefighters. I see these wāhine as kaitiaki, guardians who show courage and are prepared to put their own wellbeing at risk in service of others. There is something incredibly selfless about that sense of responsibility, protection and care.
Fire can be unpredictable and frightening, and working with it across different environments requires an enormous amount of training, knowledge and respect. Firefighters understand how fire behaves, how it moves and, importantly, how to work with it to contain it and keep people safe.
The cupped hands within the design represent that relationship. They hold and guide the fire, keeping it in balance rather than trying to overpower it – a very intuitive thing for wāhine in general. The woven pattern within the hands speaks to our connection to harakeke, the whenua [the land] and te taiao [the natural world]. It reminds us that we, fire and the natural environment are not separate – we are woven together and our wellbeing is interconnected.
Deb Caldwell, 59 Storm founder
What drew you to the Tees for a Cure project?
I know breast cancer survivors, and the cause resonates with me as it’s powerful to support research and invest in transforming people’s lives who are impacted by breast cancer.
Tell us about the design you created.
Our designs usually incorporate wings to represent protection, strength and support. Our latest, Pick Me Up, features overlapping guitar picks, inspired by Storms’ rock ’n’ roll energy and band tee influence.
How important do you think it is for the fashion industry to use its voice and creativity to support causes beyond fashion?
I think it’s incredibly important. Breast cancer affects so many women – our customers, our friends and the wider community. If we can use our creativity to raise awareness and help raise funds for research, then we should.
Visit The Dressing Room at NZICC, Auckland, from October 1-5 and experience Breast Cancer Cure’s immersive Tees for a Cure installation or buy a tee online at breastcancercure.org.nz
