Monokini 2.0 project organized a charity catwalk show in Helsinki to celebrate breast cancer survivors. Ensto was proud to support the event.
Monokini 2.0 is an art project that re-examines popular culture’s narrow view of a woman’s ideal appearance. By designing a swimwear collection for women who have gone through breast cancer it strives to expand what is accepted and considered beautiful.
The project culminated in October 2015 in a charity fashion show created completely with the help of volunteers and sponsors. The 90-year-old Yrjönkatu swimming hall in downtown Helsinki provided a beautiful backdrop for the show.
Ensto’s Marketing Communications Manager Kaisa Kaikkonen was one of the brave models on the catwalk. “I was so happy to be able to do something so unique, and for a good cause,” says Kaikkonen. “The response of the audience when walking down the catwalk, all the emotion and support and positive energy, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Contributions made during the show were donated to the Finnish Cancer Foundation for breast cancer research.
Ensto was one of the companies sponsoring the event. Also, one of the driving forces of the event was Ensto’s third generation owner Anna Miettinen who was the event’s producer.
Swimwear is conventionally designed for women who haven’t had a mastectomy. The fact is that many women who have had one breast removed due to breast cancer do not opt for breast reconstruction operation. Shops have clothes and swimwear only for women with two breasts. Women with breast cancer say it’s very difficult to find clothes that fit them well and look good on them.
The creative leaders and creators of Monokini 2.0, Katriina Haikala and Vilma Metteri, asked a group of Finnish fashion designers to design a swimwear collection. As a result the Monokini 2.0 project has 10 haute couture bathing suits, 10 beautiful photographs, 10 empowered women, and a world-touring photography exhibition.
“With this project we want to say that any woman with one or two breasts can feel complete, lovely and beautiful,” says Metteri, “No matter how much pressure our environment and culture place on us,” adds Haikala.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and the second most common cancer overall, with nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed annually (the most recent data available from 2012). This represents about 12 percent of all new cancer cases and 25 percent of all cancers in women. One woman in eight suffers from it at some point of her life. About 40 percent of Finnish breast cancer survivors decide to continue their life with one or no breasts after their mastectomy.
There are multiple ways of raising awareness and fighting back. Besides donating to breast cancer research, you can join the Monokini movement.