Media Release - February 12, 2004
There is a group of Canadian women for whom Dead Bra Day is more than a date on a calendar. This dynamic group of women known as the Canadian Association of Professional Bra-makers have dedicated themselves to give women back their womanhood by having available to them custom made bras that are beautiful, sexy and supportive. Best of all, they fit!
The Association began when the students of the Custom Foundation Certificate Program at Mohawk College realized there was no network in place for a group such as theirs. They founded their own group and have made it their mission to better inform the public about women's breast health and the importance of a correctly fitting bra.
The Program through Mohawk College is run through Beverly Johnson School of Sewing Arts & Design on Main St East, Hamilton, but students have come from all across the nation to attend. The Program has been many years in the concept stage and the first full program began in January of this year. The students are excited about being able to start their own custom bra-making business or to design their own line of bras for shops and boutiques. But the basis of all the excitement is that they now know how to fit real women, large or small, with a uniqueness that can only come from custom made foundations.
Bonnie Pataran, Program Director of Mohawk College was slightly surprised by the overwhelming response to the program. But the School's Chief Instructor, Beverly Johnson wasn't surprised in the least. She said " When it was advertised on the School website, and in the Mohawk calendar, it was clear after a couple of weeks that the course would be full and we would have a waiting list."
The ladies attending the School come from all walks of life, some retired looking to give back to the community in a more personal way, and others who desire a change of career as well as a couple who are adding to their expertise in the custom clothing area. Students learn how to make a bra pattern for their clients, learn the correct fitting techniques and how to take a bra pattern and completely re-style it into many different looks.
So what exactly is Dead Bra Day? It is the brainchild of the Breast of Canada Calendar co-creator Sue Richards, who proclaimed February 13 as the day to go through your cupboards, closet and bottom drawers and toss those tired old bras that no longer fit, or no longer support or those held together with safely pins. As women, we do tend to hang on to dead bras way past their useful life. "The idea of the calendar is to promote breast health among women, and especially to encourage regular breast exams. Dead Bra day, says Sue Richards has a light hearted theme, especially in the depths of winter. "I tried to create something fun, something positive. It's not all about looking for the lump" She suggested some creative ways women can dispose of their dead bras after the intimate underwear has served its purpose, perhaps a Bra Tree, a Bra Fence, or a Bra Wall in a bar or eatery to draw attention to womens' health issues, Richards said. Even with such a light hearted theme, the reason for the calendar's existence is serious. Net proceeds from the 2004 calendar are used toward the Canadian Breast Cancer network.
The Canadian Association of Professional Bra-makers is delighted that such a day exists! With an official Dead Bra Day in place, perhaps more women will realize the importance of a well-fitting bra in a their wardrobe and most importantly, its role in womens breast health.