One brand creator used her runway to raise awareness for breast cancer and encourage women to support their bodies during this year’s New York Fashion Week. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Dana Donofree, who was diagnosed at 27, previously struggled to find the perfect fit when it came to intimates after her mastectomy. The mold and structure of “regular” bras were not only incompetent but seemingly “awful” and “ugly,” according to the designer. That was until she developed the perfect configuration for her own brand, AnaOno. Speaking to Elle, Donofree recounts how her former frustration with limited lingerie options led to the launch of her company. “After removing both my breasts to treat my disease and reconstructing them, I found that ‘regular’ intimates no longer fit. What was available to me instead were these awful, ugly, matronly bras,” she explained. “I knew that we could do better! Women undergoing cancer treatment are already dealing with so much. They don’t also need to deal with hating their clothes. So I started figuring out a solution.” A designer and innovative problem solver, Donofree examined the necessary fit for the recovery stages associated with breast cancer survivors who’ve endured implants, mastectomies, and unilateral removals. No matter how far along a woman is in their individual journey post-diagnosis, AnaOno offers a range of picks from nighties to breathable leisurewear. “Something I’ll never compromise on is absolute inclusion,” the creator continued. “Whether you have two breasts, one breast, no breasts, or new breasts…we’ll make it work for all of it.” With that being said, Donofree ensured her size range varied, with the largest available option being a 3X. Donofree’s desire to design her brand supporting breast cancer survivors was also about inspiring other women, through a fuse of agency, style, ease, and motivation in keeping a healthy body and mind. This also meant straying from the “pink-washing” that is often associated with the disease. The fashion executive noted: “As a survivor myself for 13 years, I can say that there have been times when I’ve been really mad at the ‘pink-washing’ of breast cancer awareness. It felt very exploitive to me, you know, to have your pain and ‘resilience’ put in a marketing campaign!” And that’s exactly what she avoided in this year’s runway display during fashion week in the Big Apple. Inside a Lower East Side church, Donofree’s show titled “(R)Evolution” unfolded negligee versatility to promote properly fitting garments and breast cancer awareness. “I didn’t want to abandon the use of pink altogether, because breast cancer research and awareness saves lives. If we can impact research and find more ways to treat this disease, we can get more time with the ones we love,” the fashion mogul remarked. “And if we can impact awareness, we can ensure people get diagnosed as fast as possible, which leads to many more treatment options.” “We’re finally awakening to the fact that cancer and disease is an issue that’s linked to pollution and environmental damage,” she continued. “Fashion as a whole needs to accept responsibility to create a better earth and healthier humans, because what touches your skin gets absorbed by your skin. Using quality fabric matters a lot to me, and to other fashion designers. And it also matters greatly to cancer patients.” Donofree enlisted the help of #CancerCulture, a patient-led nonprofit organisation dedicated to spreading awareness in creative avenues, to co-produce the show. The brand’s display will also lead to a donation of $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Center, with hopes to reach a larger sum of $50,000. In Donofree’s experience, she’s concluded that the right bra will lead to “a better life”. “It’s not just about your body – it’s about your story,” AnaOno’s website reads. “No matter who you are, no matter your story, we believe you should have a bra that fits your unique shape.” Read More Ralph Lauren, a son of the Bronx, takes over Brooklyn in lavish return to NY Fashion Week Proenza Schouler debut effortlessly cool looks at NYFW Tory Burch deconstructs classic style in new NYFW collection Linda Evangelista says she views breast cancer scars as ‘trophies’ after mastectomy Cancer cases in young people ‘are rising’ – the warning signs to look out for Linda Evangelista says she was diagnosed with breast cancer twice within five years

Abdullah al-Derazi's family describes him as a sensitive bird-lover who once cared for dozens of canaries, but the Saudi courts see him differently: as a...

The UK is likely to reverse Brexit within two decades according to retail veteran Stuart Rose, who briefly

Fred Holmes watches with satisfaction as pumps pull oil from deep under his California farm, tapping a supply he thinks...

The northern Italian city of Padua has started removing the names of non-biological gay mothers from their children's birth certificates under new legislation passed by the "traditional family-first" government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed called on investors to redevelop the city’s struggling downtown core by converting or

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration said Tuesday it has formed an interagency team to develop a national

Only halfway through and the year's already been a whirlwind of both technological advancements and

TL;DR: As of October 1, you can get the WonderCube Pro all-in-one mobile keyring for

A wave of pink products washing over the beauty world can only mean one thing: Breast Cancer Awareness Month is back. This October, with the Barbie pink trend still going strong, there’s even more reason to snap up a rose-tinted treat for yourself or a loved one. From nail polish and make-up to skincare and hair tools, here’s our pick of this year’s best charitable beauty buys… 1. Mavala Limited edition Power of Pink Mini Colour Pink Pastel, £6.40, LookFantastic For the third year running, Mavala unveils its Power of Pink range of skincare and nail varnishes, with £1 from the sale of each product going to the Pink Ribbon Foundation. We love the Power of Pink Pastel polish, a cute ballerina-pink shade that suits everyone. 2. Trinny London Sherin Lip2Cheek, £26 Fans of TV presenter turned beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall’s eponymous brand love the versatility of the creamy Lip2Cheek pots, which can be used as blusher, lipstick or eyeshadow. Named after Trinny London customer Sherin, who is living with secondary breast cancer, this shade is a warm brown. For every pot sold, 10% of sales will be donated to Breast Cancer Now. 3. Bobbi Brown Powerful Pinks Crushed Oil Infused Gloss Duo, £38 Bobbi Brown’s luscious lip gloss duo, worth £50, brings together two botanical oil-infused pink hues, with proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Soft peachy-pink In The Buff is perfect for everyday wear while plummy Slow Jam is an ideal evening option. 4. Clinique Limited Edition Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, £40 If you’re yet to try Clinique’s incredible Moisture Surge, now’s the perfect time to experience the lightweight but ultra-hydrating day cream loved by beauty buffs. For every pot of the limited edition sold, £10 will be donated to the BCRF. 5. Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Duo Shampoo and Conditioner, £42.24 (was £48) Inspired by trichologist Philip Kingsley’s wife’s battle with breast cancer, these fragrance-free essentials were formulated for use during chemotherapy. Ideal if you’ve got sensitive skin or dandruff, they contain salicylic acid and green tea extract to promote scalp health. For every bottle sold, 50p will go to cancer charity Look Good Feel Better 6. Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon Advanced Night Repair Serum Limited Edition, £89 Devotees of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – one of the first skincare serums, launched back in 1982, and still a bestseller – love its rejuvenating, collagen-boosting powers. For October, the usually brown bottle gets a hot pink transformation, with a 20% donation from sales going to BCRF. 7. Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Micro-Serum, £90 Packed with rose-infused microdroplets, this dual-phase serum works to strengthen the skin barrier, hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. For every serum sold, Elemis is donating £10 to Look Good Feel Better in support of their workshops and services. 8. Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, £118 for 100ml A long-time supporter of BCA month, Jo Malone this year introduces a special edition of the classic Peony And Blush Suede Cologne, with £20 from every bottle sold going to the BCRF. Decorated with a floral print and a pink ribbon, the fragrance features notes of red apple, pink peony, jasmine and rose. 9. GHD Platinum+ Styler Pink Limited Edition, £239 For creating poker-straight strands or glossy waves, the GHD Platinum+ with hair-protecting technology is second to none. This marbled pink limited edition comes with a free zip-up pouch, with £10 for each sale going to Breast Cancer Now or €10 to the Irish Cancer Society. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Smokers 2.6 times more likely to give birth prematurely Female students ‘more than twice as likely’ to be affected by poor mental health, research shows Many parents of under 5s on less than £50k ‘quit work due to childcare costs’ – survey

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have remained mum about their status since the pop superstar began attending the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's football games

It was a Thursday night and I had a date. Or, so I thought. Instead,