Our story

The Brave Ladies swimwear collection was inspired by my own experience with breast cancer and swimwear shopping post mastectomy surgery.

Many years ago my Mother died at the age of 57 from breast cancer. When I was 49 my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and I decided to get myself checked out. My mammogram showed the bad news that I too had breast cancer. My sister and I could only see one option if we wanted to survive this, and that was to undergo double mastectomies and I had reconstruction put in place at the same time. This was the most stressful time of my life mentally and physically.

A few months later we were going on holiday and that, you might say, was when the fun started! After looking at many catalogues and in all the shops for swimwear I felt very dejected, frustrated and tearful! Mastectomy bikini tops were dull and frumpy and so, so expensive. I decided to try a well-known department store and asked a sales assistant where the mastectomy swimsuits could be found. I’ll never forget her response “It’s in the corner over the back dear, as some people take offence to it”. I was so overcome with emotion I tearfully walked out.

The following day I went to a local shop, where I found the range was nicer but very expensive at £150 for one bikini! I asked the sales assistant if she had anything cheaper. She looked at me and said, “No we don’t and you have to remember that the product you need is specialised”. Again I was overwhelmed with emotion and had to leave the shop.

The attitude of the staff in those shops, and a lack of alternative options, gave me the incentive to do something – create my own swimwear! I put my head together with my friend Aoife and Brave Ladies is the result. The great thing about our swimwear range is that anyone can wear it. My aim was to make it fashionable and comfortable for people with or without breasts, so there isn’t a divide. The discreet pockets inside the tops of the swimwear are for the infills – or ‘beanies’ – if you need/want them.

This project has made me so happy. I can actually help others feel good and sexy in their swimwear after having breast cancer.

Welcome to the Brave Ladies range of affordable, comfortable, vibrant and sexy swimwear. We hope you like wearing it as much as we do!