On 11/9/2008
trehouse60 wrote:
Well, you might ask you husband how he would feel if he lost a testicle. It won't help him understand how difficult dressing was, but might at least help him understand the change in body image that accompanies mastectomy.
Sincerely,
Tre
Model Refines Beauty By Christina Faro
The world of fashion isn’t all superficial.
In 2002, former fashion-model and now photographer Lynn Kohlman was diagnosed
with breast and brain cancer. Now a survivor, she has published a visual account
of her life, titled “Lynn: Front to Back.”
In the late 1960s, a young Kohlman was considered to be the most prominent
fashion model. Frequently featured on the covers of major fashion magazines and
in numerous advertisements for such companies as Yves Saint Laurent and Missoni,
Kohlman dominated the model world. In the 1970s, she became a photographer and
was recognized by publications including Vogue and Glamour. In 1989, Kohlman was
named Fashion Director of the designer Donna Karan’s company.
In 2002 when the Kohlman suffered a seizure during a yoga class, the woman who
had so extensively impacted the fashion industry was given just six months to
live. She eventually underwent a double mastectomy, and as of 2005 continues to
defy her diagnosed fate.
Jennifer E. Heinsman, design assistant, Capital Mercury Apparel, said that
Kohlman has had a significant contribution to the fashion industry.
“Kohlman greatly influenced Karan’s DKNY line, which is a highly recognized
fashion line,” said Heinsman.
Kohlman’s book is now gaining national prestige. Featured on Oprah, the book is
considered to be a raw and profound look at human beauty. Highlighting photos of
the author, Lynn: Front to Back, it offers a new illustration of what is
considered beautiful.
Karin M. Chrisville, 19, Hopewell Junction, N.Y., said that the book suggests a
brand-new perspective of what it means to be beautiful.
“The book offers so many images that contradict what society tells us what
beauty is,” said Chrisville.
Ann Marie Sperrazza, 20, Buffalo, N.Y. said that the book is also a change from
what the fashion industry is typically portrayed as.
“Usually, one thinks of the fashion industry as a superficial entity, with an
obvious focus on appearance,” said Sperrazza. “But Kohlman’s book suggests
otherwise, that even though she was once a famous and beautiful model, life can
touch her just like it can touch anyone else.”
Kohlman’s publication indicated bravery of the human spirit. One particular
image is of Kohlman, naked and make-up free, baring only her mastectomy scars.
Heinsman said that this particular image depicted the author’s bravery, on more
than one level.
“Clearly, Kohlman is an extremely brave woman for battling cancer,” said
Heinsman. “She is brave in another way, for being known for such a long time as
a traditional beauty and having the courage to break the mold and show real
life.”
Kelly A. Schenker, 20, Smithtown, N.Y., said that Kohlman’s decision to show her
scars is profoundly unselfish.
“When you see the pictures of Kohlman as a young and beautiful model, and then
the pictures of her following her mastectomy, you really understand just how
giving this woman must be,” said Schenker. “To allow the public to see that
difference, she really was doing us a favor by humanizing herself.”
With such a current focus on supermodels as having negative effects on our
society, especially on young girls, Kohlman’s struggle is a deviation from this
stereotype.
When good friend and former-colleague Karan was asked about Kohlman’s story on
Oprah, she said that she has great admiration and has learned much from her
friend’s battle with cancer.
“[She teaches] the spirit of living and really how to give back,” said Karan.
“[I learned] how much Lynn has given to all of us. . . The journey that she went
on has been an amazing journey.”
fines Beauty
By Christina Faro
The world of fashion isn’t all superficial.
In 2002, former fashion-model and now photographer Lynn Kohlman was diagnosed
with breast and brain cancer. Now a survivor, she has published a visual account
of her life, titled “Lynn: Front to Back.”
In the late 1960s, a young Kohlman was considered to be the most prominent
fashion model. Frequently featured on the covers of major fashion magazines and
in numerous advertisements for such companies as Yves Saint Laurent and Missoni,
Kohlman dominated the model world. In the 1970s, she became a photographer and
was recognized by publications including Vogue and Glamour. In 1989, Kohlman was
named Fashion Director of the designer Donna Karan’s company.
In 2002 when the Kohlman suffered a seizure during a yoga class, the woman who
had so extensively impacted the fashion industry was given just six months to
live. She eventually underwent a double mastectomy, and as of 2005 continues to
defy her diagnosed fate.
Jennifer E. Heinsman, design assistant, Capital Mercury Apparel, said that
Kohlman has had a significant contribution to the fashion industry.
“Kohlman greatly influenced Karan’s DKNY line, which is a highly recognized
fashion line,” said Heinsman.
Kohlman’s book is now gaining national prestige. Featured on Oprah, the book is
considered to be a raw and profound look at human beauty. Highlighting photos of
the author, Lynn: Front to Back, it offers a new illustration of what is
considered beautiful.
Karin M. Chrisville, 19, Hopewell Junction, N.Y., said that the book suggests a
brand-new perspective of what it means to be beautiful.
“The book offers so many images that contradict what society tells us what
beauty is,” said Chrisville.
Ann Marie Sperrazza, 20, Buffalo, N.Y. said that the book is also a change from
what the fashion industry is typically portrayed as.
“Usually, one thinks of the fashion industry as a superficial entity, with an
obvious focus on appearance,” said Sperrazza. “But Kohlman’s book suggests
otherwise, that even though she was once a famous and beautiful model, life can
touch her just like it can touch anyone else.”
Kohlman’s publication indicated bravery of the human spirit. One particular
image is of Kohlman, naked and make-up free, baring only her mastectomy scars.
Heinsman said that this particular image depicted the author’s bravery, on more
than one level.
“Clearly, Kohlman is an extremely brave woman for battling cancer,” said
Heinsman. “She is brave in another way, for being known for such a long time as
a traditional beauty and having the courage to break the mold and show real
life.”
Kelly A. Schenker, 20, Smithtown, N.Y., said that Kohlman’s decision to show her
scars is profoundly unselfish.
“When you see the pictures of Kohlman as a young and beautiful model, and then
the pictures of her following her mastectomy, you really understand just how
giving this woman must be,” said Schenker. “To allow the public to see that
difference, she really was doing us a favor by humanizing herself.”
With such a current focus on supermodels as having negative effects on our
society, especially on young girls, Kohlman’s struggle is a deviation from this
stereotype.
When good friend and former-colleague Karan was asked about Kohlman’s story on
Oprah, she said that she has great admiration and has learned much from her
friend’s battle with cancer.
“[She teaches] the spirit of living and really how to give back,” said Karan.
“[I learned] how much Lynn has given to all of us. . . The journey that she went
on has been an amazing journey.”
You might have seen a review of this book that sounds very interesting.I am a 57year old "Thriver, not just a survivor" who had a simple R mastectomy in March '08. I am uninsured, so I have had to pay every penny of my treatment . I did not need radiation or chemo (which would have cost 20K) and am on the cheapest hormone therapy tamoxifen which increases my risk of having uterine cancer. I shopped for breast prostheses everywhere and bought one of those "industrial strength" mast6ectomy bras on the web cause it was cheap, $6.99. It was also too small so I cut up one of my old strappless bras to extend it from a 34 to a 38. I wasn't going to pay $30-60 a bra for such horrible mastectomy bras.
As I walked into the prosthesis and Bra store, I looked for the sales rack. After talking to me for a few minutes to the sales woman, I was confused by the wide variety of prostheses available. Then she said she had some used prostheses people had donated if I would consider such a thing.
Would I? I walked out with a $450 Amoeba prosthesis for free. It is a size B cup and my other breast is a C but no one can tell the difference except my sister. Some women naturally have one breast smaller than the other. My size difference is just not natural.
Kay