RheaBelle's Profile

Bio

Rhea Belle apparel is designed for women who have had a single or bilateral mastectomy and have chosen to move forward free from reconstruction and prostheses. However, ALL woman can show off these beautiful threads.

Rhea Belle apparel transcends clothing and has evolved into a powerful movement. A movement towards opening minds to the transformed body and clothing it.

Each design element can be created on the left, right or center- to your liking and comfort. Creating visual balance and defying symmetry Rhea Belle apparel invites women to embrace their natural architecture allowing the designs to speak as an expression of confident resolve.

visit www.RheaBelle.com and www.thesongbirdbranch.blogspot.com


"The design and marketing of items of wear for one-breasted women is only a question of time, and we who are now designing and wearing our own asymmetrical patterns and New Landscape jewelry are certainly in the vanguard of a new fashion!" Audre Lorde, "The Cancer Journals", 1980

"A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw

Rhea Belle apparel...
I am a painter from the beautiful midwest currently living in Brooklyn, NY. I founded Rhea Belle apparel and www.Rebel1in8.com in 2004 following my second breast cancer diagnoses since the age of thirty-six. Shortly after my single mastectomy I began altering and designing garments that both create visual balance and honor my newly transformed architecture. I soon became aware of a void and a great need for clothing designed for my body landscape and sensibilities. It is my hope that Rhea Belle apparel inspires women to embrace their bodies and their right to be in the world with dignity by their own ideologies following the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis. It is time to bring our transformed bodies and how we clothe them out of the dark ages. It is my goal to bring post mastectomy clothing and lingerie out of the "closets" of hospital boutiques, out from "behind the counter" and out of "by appointment only" specialty stores and into a world free of fear and taboo. Barely a day goes by without someone telling me how necessary this clothing concept is and these creations have received accolades from women throughout the country and abroad.

It's not about feminism or femininity. It's not about trends or beauty. It's about having integrity and fearless attitude... with style. Rhea Belle is more than fashion. It's a lifestyle with a view

I am also the founder of www.Rebel1in8.com. See more press here: http://www.rebel1in8.com/press.html

NOTE: Supplies for the garments are ordered on Mondays. Please do not "CHECKOUT" unless I have confirmed your size and color choice. If an order isn't paid for within three days I submit a "Cancel a Sale" to Etsy due to non-payment in order to get my listing costs and other fees from the item refunded to me.
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Explore more post mastectomy clothing possibilities at www.The SongBirdBranch.blogspot.com
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Feedback & testimonials about Rhea Belle apparel...

"I am just thrilled with the two tops. They fit wonderfully and feel so comfortable. The green is a great color, perfect for fall! Good things are worth waiting for! ...
I met a woman this past week, who had a mastectomy a number of years ago and was very comfortable "as is". She was in her 70's and had such wisdom and comfort in herself... inspiring. Thank you for your vision and for not accepting the status quo for all of us. I look forward to adding some more of your pieces to my wardrobe soon!" Marna, NJ

"I am a recent bi-lateral mastectomy survivor and I have just discovered your clothing line. I am just ecstatic over your designs and your concept of "life after surgery". I chose not to have reconstruction and although I have breast forms I can wear, I really prefer not to as much as possible. Your designs are a feast for the eyes... I have been so frustrated trying to find fashionable garments and undergarments since my surgery last fall. I can't wait to get these pieces and to spread the word! You have truly done something very important here and I, for one, am very grateful. Bless you, thank you." Marna, NJ

"Well, Hello. Stumbled onto your sight while looking for my first sewing machine since the late 70's. I am enamored by the clothing you design and I joyfully embrace your philosophy of moving forward with the body we have. Wow, I am so amazed and pleased to find your site. Thank you so much for being on this earth, loving and living and sewing and advocating for others." Lynda, US

"Jacqueline, Thank you for showing me your clothes today. They are just delightful—pretty, whimsical, practical. I'm very pleased with my shirt and mulling over future options." Megan, NY

"The site really does look wonderful and is such an amazing support system and resource for so many... I have actually been wanting to write you anyway as I recently forwarded Rebel1in8 to an acquaintance facing a recurrance and masectomy/recon decision. She sent me a gushing email explaining how your affirming and positive words and art helped her decide not to have the reconstruction-- Something she was feeling pushed towards and confused about but deep down knew she didn't want.... So, thank you." Hannah, NY

"I have come home inspired and rejuvenated. You have helped me to go back to feeling good about my body, as it is. You are doing a wonderful thing with Rhea Belle." Laurie, Canada (After a visit with me to acquire her very own Rhea Belle clothing)

"You remain an inspiration to so many. My friend in NH credits Rebel as the central factor in her decision for no reconstruction... and she's so relieved and grateful. I send your link to everyone!" Hannah, NH

"Freaking genius. PLEASE don't give this revolution up... I feel like [today] I stumbled upon some great monumental new hope and it reshaped my mind in two minutes. That's revolutionary. You seriously cannot stop. And you get comments like "genius" because it is, though I can tell you're too humble to 2nd our opinions... still. ...But it's like this huge stone was thrown in your path and you just said "screw it" and started making a sculpture right there in the middle of the road. The world is short on people like you. ... But your whole movement is revolutionary. It had not even occurred to me to go uniboob before. I think you ROCK. You seriously have changed my mind about so much. Thank you." Kelly, AK

"Today I blogged about breastlessness and stigma and fashion, and linked up with your line of clothing. And it just made me think – Jacqueline is doing very cool things in the world, and making my world a better place. And so, Thanks to you for your courage and your tenacity and the beautiful things you make." Mary, BC

"I am moved beyond belief. As a cancer survivor myself, and a woman who has had reconstruction, the thought of NOT reconstructed never entered my consideration as the doctor's didn't even talk about it as an option! I feel betrayed to an extent that the male surgeon didn't tell me it was OK to go with one breast. Not that I shouldn't have known it for myself, but when you have 10 days between diagnosis and surgery, that's a lot of crap to deal with because all you are thinking about is SURVIVAL. Would I do it differently? I don't know...perhaps my path was to be a spirit whose chest was reconstructed as an example, for we are all examples of survivorship with our without our breasts. Either way we all have scars, and those scars speak a multitudes of languages. Bless you and your cool designs!!!" Adriene, CA

"Something very important is happening here. Rebel1in8 and Rhea Belle through the gifted hands and heart of Jacqueline will change the landscape of how women view themselves and how the world views women. It's about dam time, too! I chose recon, bilat, but I don't recall being given a clear "choice", I was in the midst of facing my death and I had MDs, seasoned and highly educated individuals telling me what was going to happen...I may have said one thing, to my husband, to friends, and to the docs, but inside I had shut down that logical side and was genuinely unable to make such a decision at the time it was thrust upon me. I don't know if my choice would have been altered but I know at that time I didn't feel that I had a choice. Jacqueline's message MUST be SUNG. This is a vitally important concept relating to how women love themselves and it is time the world knows." Erika, CA

"This is MY shirt. Jacqueline made it for me Labor Day weekend when I came to visit her in New York. I wore it to Coney Island on Labor Day, and it was my first trip out in public without my prosthesis in the nine years since my mastectomy (except for a couple of times that I ran out of the house without Jabba, the prosthesis, because I was in a hurry. I'm wearing this shirt now as I type. I wore it again today to head down to Pioneer Square in Seattle to get a massage. It's a great shirt--comfortable to wear, great color, and you can wrap it four or five different ways, which is fun." Jeanne, WA

"Brilliant, thoughtful and practical designs inspired by experience. I love the logo, too!" Kathy, PA

"These are the coolest clothes I've ever seen!" Tina, NJ

"Oh my *&%$!!! I love this one, too! Aiieee! You're a genius!" Tina, NJ

"...fantastic. don't forget, your clientele is going to "double" when people realize that you don't have to have had a mastectomy to wear your lovely creations! (i know, I know....get in line.)" Laura, NY

"Classy, elegant AND comfortable.....fabulous design my friend!" Lori, NY

"I really like this and would totally wear it (mastectomy or not)...perhaps in a dark and darker red, though. :-)" Jessiqa

"It is beautiful...balanced, and yet not. I love how you left the construction showing. You're brilliant!" Marissa, NJ

"Gorgeous Jacqueline! Could be worn with jeans, a straight skirt or a pair of slacks or capris. Very versatile! Wonderful creation!" Lynnie, IL

"Well done! Very artful. I love everything you're doing with these designs." Rose, NY

"I think you should start a clothing line. I LOVE this." Lori, NY
"That's t he best use of design I've seen in a long time." Heather, Nova Scotia

"...I do believe you are onto something that is beyond my imagination, I know this--If I had not chosen my route, well, I would be minus two (given my situation), but if I were minus one and au natural on the other, I would definitely hit you up for some designs... I can't tell you what a need this will fulfill for women." Erika, CA

"Can you patent this, please? ...This is a necessary thing and I think it's going to work for a lot of people." Heather, Nova Scotia

"...what would our messed-up socitey be without people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are paving the way for all women. I did not lose my breast but I dont know what the future will bring since reoccurence is a high probability. You would think a single-cup bra would be a GIVEN but nooooooo, we are pressured to conform to the womanly standard. I can recall being all freaked out about being bald... has a photo of herself at work without a strand of hair on her head. It made me think, why do I pretend that everything is okay and put stress on myself by worrying about the 'office standard' ? Bull crap I say. Things are not okay, going through and living with the effects of breast cancer are life changing and we shouldnt have to pretend that everything is normal.......bald heads (although temporary) and being left with one breast IS our new normal, accept it. Seems like everytime I turn around someone is coming up with a new way to make money, why arent the markets flooded with clothing like this? I am really getting on my soapbox now........I will close and say Kudos to you my friend for taking a situation and trying to do something about it!" Linda, IL

"...Are you kidding?!!!! I have been lusting after the clothes since I first laid eyes on them. They are so very beautiful and I would be honoured to be your model. There are several items I love, especially - perhaps you could help me choose. ...Thank you - I find your creativity inspiring. And contagious. Connecting with women like you and T has been such a joy for me." Laurie, Canada
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Come visit the Rhea Belle apparel collection by appointment in the physical world, located in Brooklyn, New York (right off the L train). See, touch, try on and purchase from the entire available line. The garments are renovated from American Apparel clothing upon order (2-4 week turn-around). Please make arrangements to visit the studio by contacting me here at Etsy or at jacqueline [!at] rebel1in8.com.

Rhea Belle clothing was formerly available in my etsy Rebel1in8 store. Please see my unique REBEL counterculture awareness jewelry, as well as, my feedback, SALES and who HEARTS me over at Rebel1in8.etsy for reference.

Read Etsy's The Storque article about Rhea Belle and Rebel1in8 at: http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/craftivism/article/craft-takes-on-breast-cancer-clothing-the-rebellion/294/ and more press here: http://rebel1in8.com/press.html
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I do not believe in "Cause Marketing"- a growing transparent consumer epidemic in the United States that is turning breast cancer into a profit venture while at the same time, often exploiting women. If you would like to contribute to an organization, foundation or charity please make a full donation directly to it. ALL proceeds from my sales go towards maintaining the Rebel1in8.com resource network and supporting the evolution of Rhea Belle apparel.

Female, Born on November 26

Favorite Materials

passion, integrity, kindness, cotton, silk, thinking outside of the box