Twenty-three years ago, Colleen Findley OAM, was standing in a change room with tears pouring down her face, recovering from a mastectomy and trying to find a new bra and prosthesis to fill the space where her breast tissue had once been. A sympathetic community nurse was trying to fit a standard bra to suit her petite build, the cumbersome ugly bra she had been given in hospital was ten times too big. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Colleen thought, “This must change. I don’t want any more women to have to go through this experience.”
Determined to make a change for post mastectomy support and care, Colleen contacted a European company who specialise in external breast prosthesis and although she was still recovering from chemotherapy, flew to Germany for training in how to fit prostheses and bras. On her return, she opened Colleen’s in 2001 in Phillip, Canberra’s only Post Mastectomy store.
Within a short period of time, it became evident to Colleen that there was a need for front opening bras for those who had arthritis, had suffered a stroke, and for other medical conditions, so she added these to the range of bras.
When Colleen decided to hand over Colleen’s and take time to relax, travel and write a book on her experiences, she knew only a woman who had been down the road of recovery could run a business like this. Gillian Horton had an irrepressible desire to help women who had found themselves in the same position after her own diagnosis in 2008. She saw this desire become a reality when she purchased the business from Colleen in 2014.
When Gillian moved the store to the Garran shops it became more evident that women were struggling to find bras not available elsewhere. Now Colleen’s offers an inclusive range of bras, including first bra fittings, larger cup sizes, broader backs, petite frames, support backs, sports bras and of course front opening, post-surgical bras and prostheses. They offer a professional bra fitting service for all women and advice on the right styles for your needs.
When you step into Colleen’s no matter how daunted or emotionally fragile you feel… one thing’s for certain – you will be greeted with warmth and kindness. You will be comforted by a voice that says, “I understand and I’m here to help.” Empathy is assured.
