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Double mastectomy designer launches AnaOno Intimates line for breast cancer …

April 29, 2015 by  
Filed under Latest Lingerie News

  • Dana Donofree, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010
  • After immediately opting to have a mastectomy and reconstruction, she was unable to find bras that fit her new body properly
  • The 33-year-old designer launched AnaOno Intimates last May, and her bras retail from $48 to $58 
  • Dana, who sells her products online, donates 10per cent of her proceeds to breast cancer charities 

Erica Tempesta For Dailymail.com

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A woman who underwent a double mastectomy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28 has launched a new line of sexy lingerie that is made for and modeled by other female survivors. 

Dana Donofree, 33, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before her 28th birthday – two months before her wedding. She was inspired to start AnaOno Intimates, a lingerie line exclusively for women who have had surgery related to a breast cancer, after her own double mastectomy and breast reconstruction left her searching, without success, for bras that would fit her new body.

‘I went to my underwear drawer and pulled out all the beautiful lacy bras I owned and I quickly realized this wasn’t going to work – I was no longer normal,’ Dana told Today. 

Still sexy: A breast cancer survivor models the Rachel Wire-Free bra, which retails for $54, and is part of the AnaOno Intimates collection made specifically for women who've had surgery related to the disease

Still sexy: A breast cancer survivor models the Rachel Wire-Free bra, which retails for $54, and is part of the AnaOno Intimates collection made specifically for women who’ve had surgery related to the disease

Inspiring survivor: Dana Donofree, 33, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (pictured) created the collection after undergoing a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction when she was 28-years-old

Inspiring survivor: Dana Donofree, 33, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (pictured) created the collection after undergoing a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction when she was 28-years-old

The shape of her reconstructed breasts no longer fit into traditional undergarments and underwire bras proved to be too painful for her to wear.  

Dana, whose doctor suggested she wear sports bras or camisoles, was unable to find any bras that were comfortable, yet looked like the lacy lingerie she was used to wearing.

‘I thought, this can’t be it: This can’t be the way I’m going to have to live the rest of my life,’ she said. ‘I [couldn't] imagine wearing a sports bra every day to work, to business meetings, to a fun night out with my girlfriends.’

Despite her determination to find a bra that fit and made her feel attractive, Dana couldn’t failed to seek out anything that would meet her needs.

Delicate lace: This woman models the Kelly Bralette, which is sold for $48 on AnaOno's website. Dana's bra designs are named after breast cancer survivors she's met

Delicate lace: This woman models the Kelly Bralette, which is sold for $48 on AnaOno’s website. Dana’s bra designs are named after breast cancer survivors she’s met

Beautiful underpinnings: Another AnaOno model dons the underwire-free Alejandra Bandeau, which retails for $54 

Beautiful underpinnings: Another AnaOno model dons the underwire-free Alejandra Bandeau, which retails for $54 

As a graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, who has worked with several popular labels, Dana decided to fill the hole in the market and create a lingerie line for breast cancer survivors.

Whether Dana’s customers have undergone a lumpectomy or mastectomy on one or both breasts, the entrepreneur has a bra that will fit.

The same goes for women who have had flap surgery, another kind of reconstructive procedure, or implant reconstruction, as well as those who chose not to reconstruct at all.  

AnaOno, which is a play on Dana’s first and last names, launched last May and offers pretty, underwire-free bras that come in a variety of designs, including a high impact sports bra, a shelf bra and a lace bralette. 

The bra collection ranges in price from $48 to $58, depending on the design.  

Variety of choices: The Rachel Wire-Free bra also comes in ivory (pictured) and champagne 

Variety of choices: The Rachel Wire-Free bra also comes in ivory (pictured) and champagne 

Pretty design: The Alejandra Bandeau is available in dusty rose (pictured) and navy blue, as well as black 

Pretty design: The Alejandra Bandeau is available in dusty rose (pictured) and navy blue, as well as black 

Dana, who sells her products online, donates 10per cent of her proceeds to breast cancer charities. She is now working on getting her designs into more brick-and-mortar stores, as well as adding plus-sizes to her collection. 

The models seen on Dana’s website are also survivors of breast cancer from the Philadelphia area, whom she met at support groups and throughout the community.   

‘The bras are also named after them, so in a way they’re all my muses,’ she explained. 

Five years after her ‘earth-shattering’ diagnosis, Dana has dedicated her life to bringing beauty and comfort to young survivors.  

Clever design: The Sandi Front Closure Bra (pictured), which retails for $58, is described as a 'must have after surgery' because the front closure makes it easier for wearers to get in and out of the garment

Clever design: The Sandi Front Closure Bra (pictured), which retails for $58, is described as a ‘must have after surgery’ because the front closure makes it easier for wearers to get in and out of the garment

Remaining active: The Jennifer Sports Bra comes in black and nude (pictured) and clay and noir. Both versions retail for $48 Remaining active: The Jennifer Sports Bra comes in black and nude and clay and noir (pictured). Both versions retail for $48

Remaining active: The Jennifer Sports Bra comes in black and nude (L) and clay and noir (R). Both versions retail for $48


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