Each year thousands of young adults are diagnosed with cancer. For young women, losing your hair is a hugely traumatic part of cancer, one that I've been through twice.
Nearly all existing cancer headwear is targeted at a much older lady. They are bland, unfashionable and make you look like the cancer patient you so desperately don’t want to be. With your help, we can change this once and for all.
Let's help young women who have lost their hair to cancer feel a bit more stylish and confident at a time when they need it the most.
I am crowdfunding to produce the first Bravery Co. collection of designer scarves for young women with cancer. Designed by some of Australia's (and the world's) most talented illustrators, each gorgeous scarf has a bright bold design to empower its wearer and help them kick cancer's ass.
This crowdfunding campaign is not only going to allow us to produce these super-soft super-rad scarves at quantities that will make them affordable to everyone, but we're also going to donate over 200 scarves to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. One for every woman in her 20's and 30's who has lost her hair.
No one wants to look like a cancer patient, let alone one twice her age.
Hi, I'm Emily.
I've had cancer not once, but twice, and I've lost my hair three times throughout treatment. After I got sick of wearing my wig and frustrated at the lack of cool cancer headwear - I started playing around with scarves. After many online tutes by beautiful women from Africa and pinterest boards filled with old Hollywood stars, I taught myself how to tie the turban. It was a style that didn't make me look like a cancer patient and I finally felt more like myself. That was the beginning of Bravery Co.
All models have kicked cancer's ass once or twice.
Photo cred: @haydncattach
Bravery Co.
Bravery Co. is an online scarf retailer for scarf lovers and cancer haters. 10% of profits goes to cancer research to help end this stupid disease. You certainly don't need to have cancer to shop at Bravery Co. but each scarf has been picked with a cancer warrior in mind. They're super soft (good for a bald noggin), a perfect length to tie turbans and knots, have a bright, bold print and comes with a 'How to Turban' tute.
I want to change the way cancer patients are represented - from weak victims to strong, brave and confident warriors. It’s this confidence and bravery that I want to pass onto others going through a similar ordeal.
One of the biggest comforts during cancer was connecting with other young people traveling on the cancer train. (Toot, Toot!) So I also share stories of cancer, chemo, naps, and turbans on the Bravery Blog. The support provided by people who completely 'got it' was integral to my survival and stopped me from going completely bonkers.
The scarves
Money is especially tight through treatment, so your pre-orders will allow us to produce the scarves at a price everyone can afford. Hoorah! To say thank you for supporting us from the start, we're giving you a discount on the very first Bravery Co. scarves and free shipping Australia/NZ wide for all rewards (shipping is affordable for international orders too). We're super excited you'll be the first to get your hands on these tasty new scarves!
These are the scarves I wish were around when I had cancer.
The superstar illustrators
The scarves have been designed by a collection of super talented illustrators (and there's a few from me too). I want the wearers to feel empowered, so each one is bold, bright and colourful, and has a message about kicking cancer's ass. From the resilience of native fauna, fierce strength, love, hugs and good vibes and the healing power of ice cream. Mmmmm ice cream...
Beci Orpin, Luci Everett, MaryLou Faure, Bella Gomez, Amber Somerset, Kate Darmody and Sacha Kreeger have all contributed a banging design. Each scarf will be printed on a super soft silk blend material and at the perfect head tying length of 100cm x 200cm. Estimated delivery is late 2018.
Beci Orpin
I wanted to scarf to be colourful and bright so it was optimistic (like a lot of my stuff is anyway), but also wanted the scarf to have strong vibes! I liked referencing medical elements most of all.
Luci Everett
The overriding feeling of this scarf being strength, resiliance, with a bold, colourful, positive palette. I love and am endlessly inspired by botanicals.
Marylou Faure
I wanted to visualise something positive, strong and colourful! I wanted the scarf to be representing the strength of character of the person who will be wearing it.
Bella Gomez
I wanted the artwork to capture the exhilarating feeling of freedom and travel; the smells, beauty, culture and flora. Cancer can strip away your sense of freedom and choices, leaving an overwhelming feeling of being trapped. I hope this scarf can evoke a sense of optimism, to invigorate the wearer focusing on a bright adventure-filled future.
Amber Somerset
"I wanted to create designs that were beautiful, bold, but soft at the same time. Artwork which has a spiritual element.
I want the wearer to know they're wearing a little piece of someone else's spirit, support, love and care. Know that the person who designed your scarf wants you to heal."
Sacha Kreeger
“I wanted to include a ‘big cat’ as it captures the fighter spirit so well.
I hope that when you wrap it around you, you feel like the warrior you are. I hope it lifts you a little higher that day and reminds you of how strong you are.”
Kate Darmody
“I have included some cicadas in this design as they represent personal growth and transformation. Cicadas are one of the longest living insects in the Animal Kingdom so they are also a wonderful symbol of longevity and rebirth.”
Emily Somers - Bravery Co.
When I need a pick me up - a big bowl of ice cream never fails. The melting swirls of colour and sprinkles reminds me of being a kid in summer when life was totally carefree, innocent and the word calorie did not exist in my vocabulary.
Emily Somers - Bravery Co.
There’s no better healing power than hugs, kisses and good vibes.
xoxo
Emily Somers - Bravery Co.
For those days when life's tough and day dreaming takes over. Suddenly you're on a yacht,
surrounded by clear blue sea and somewhere in the background that Enja song plays
‘sail away, sail away, sail away.’
Tote and Badge
For those who hate cancer as much as we do - here are some wicked 'Fuck Cancer' pins and some bad-ass totes.
But wait, there's more!
We have some gorgeous existing Bravery Co. scarves. 10% of profits goes to cancer research and if you purchase through the crowdfunding campaign, we'll pay for the shipping.
Please make sure you select the 'Bravery Co. last season scarf' reward for the scarves below.
Ordering
Simply select the reward that gives you the number of scarves you're wanting to purchase and I'll personally be in touch to find out which scarf design you would like.
Others ways to help us
Nothing but dust and moths in the old wallet? We totally understand that. We'd love it if you could spread the Bravery word and tell all your wonderful humans about our campaign.
www.braveryco.com.au
@braveryco on instagram
@bravery_co on twitter
And read the Bravery Blog here
We will be forever grateful for your support. Come on, let's do this!
THANK YOU!!!
