come out of the woodwork.

Rhea Belle apparel will be featured in the September issue of Women and Cancer Magazine. An editor admitted that they have never addressed the population of women who decide against reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. This article will be the first to not only introduce this innovative clothing line but the refreshing personal and social ideologies that gave birth to their design and brave existence.

photo: the Rhea Belle songbird capelet dress/tunic.

Introducing Jen and Karen. a vision. and sensuality.

view details of a studio visit. designs by Jennifer Hartley and Karen Zaitzeff. 03.01.09

from the designers...

Jen and Karen are a made to measure design pair who live and work in New York City. Lending their effortless aesthetic to a select circle for two years now. They have attracted a loyal ever-growing clientele who affectionately hound the low-key pair for any injection of their perverse elegant style they can get. Jen and Karen have for the first time opened up their fantastic world with a limited offering exclusively to Rhea Belle apparel.

Inspired by the grace and innovation of Rhea Belle founder/head designer Jacqueline Skaggs, Jen and Karen were honored when approached to pioneer a collaborative effort, which is to become a new facet of Jacqueline’s burgeoning vision. Having researched the idea of a reshaped female silhouette the pair were excited to explore where the sensuality of this futuristic woman lies. They were not surprised that what they found brought them back to one of their long running mantras. Sensuality has no standard. Proud of that and in very familiar territory the two embarked upon a design journey that produced the creations we now have as Jen and Karen for the Rebel, Rhea Belle apparel.



photographs by Gwendolyn C. Skaggs

coming soon...

designs created by 'Jen and Karen' exclusively for Rhea Belle apparel.

in which i knit and modify an asymmetrical sweater (part 1)

by Laurie Kingston


"No project is too ambitious if you crave the result enough."
- Anne Shayne and Kay Gardiner in Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide.

What I am craving right now is an asymmetrical sweater to fit my asymmetrical body.



More specifically I am craving this asymmetrical sweater because a) it looks easy and b) I like the sample that I saw knit up in a yarn store.



There are a few roadblocks in my way. I don't think they are insurmountable.

1- The yarn has been discontinued. Berroco claims that there is not subsitute for the cotton-acrylic-nylon blend they used. I refuse to accept this and am going with a very non-stretchy cotton that I like.

2- I have never successfully made a sweater to fit any adult. I figure that, with the right resources (like Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women With Real Curves and Knitty) and careful measurement and calculation, I should be able to do this.

3-I need to swap the right and left sides so that the sweater buttons on my right side (my mastectomy side). See above re measuring and calculating (I am nothing if not optimistic).

So far, I have finished the back of the sweater. I have decided to make this project even more complicated by trying to knit a size in between the large and the XL in the pattern. I think I might have been feeling a little cocky starting out.


I had to re-knit a significant portion of the back after I realized that while I had carefully measured my gauge, I had been knitting the project with the wrong needles. The sweater was on the road to being huge before I caught my mistake. I had to rip out (or frog) about six inches.

I also had to decrease a little more quickly than the pattern called for at the armholes so that they wouldn't end up being enormous. I hope it all works out.

I'll keep you posted on how this goes (and if I am successful at this, then you know anyone can be). I would also love to hear from anyone who has tried anything similar. And if you are on Ravelry, you can see the project details here.

the deconstruction of symmetry.

If the landscape of your torso is asymmetrical, shouldn't your clothing be too? The fabulous blouse, "Missing you in red", in the photo was created by idea2lifestyle, a small group of designers in China. They describe themselves as a "collective team, all team members are independent designers. We brainstorm, explore, experiment together to work out things verify our existence and touch ourselves." Sounds pretty fun doesn't it?! idea2lifestyle offers custom orders for sizing so I've written to them and asked if they would also consider making this garment with the buttons on the right side for me (where I no longer have a breast). I'll keep you posted on their answer.*

Placing buttons, ties, zippers and any closure on my flat side simply makes sense and good use of the space. It also provides visual balance and by giving the area "purpose" it presents the landscape as the righteous form that it is. Cascading cotton is great, but, sometimes I'm in no mood to camouflage my body's history. I have altered many garments with this concept in mind. In fact, the above blouse reminds me of a dress that i altered/renovated. Go check it out and FEEL THE LOVE.

*I just received a note form the designers and their answer to my question is "Can do!" They also provide custom sizing if the sizes offered don't work for you. The custom size fee is only $10. I'll photograph the blouse (perhaps with ME in it) when I receive it. I ordered it in black.

"Undeniably opulent..."

I've been told by several women that my wraps are a great comfort during treatment and immediately following surgery. They provide a warmth and a buffer between the world and their bodies as they get use to the transformation they've most recently been through. While most women are confident in their decsion not no have reconstructive surgery there's no denial that it's not an easy social adjustment.

I've recently discovered some beautiful wraps and scarves created by Tickled Pink Knits (the name has nothing to do with bc or October!). This Rococo Shawl in particular is so cool with its "meticulously executed scalloped geometric pattern" and versatility. And it comes with a complimentary Surina wood shawl pin! This shawl is custom made when ordered and is offered in some amazing colors so order soon so you can be embraced by it all winter long.

Explore your closet.

Reinvent and renovate your wardrobe. Get some ideas from Rhea Belle apparel's original collection.

Shortly after my single mastectomy I began altering and designing garments in my own closet to 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.

The sweater in the photo was one of my favorites before my surgery. This incredibly soft angora delight was worn often. However, after my mastectomy as a simple pull-over it seemed only to enhance my new, unfamiliar asymmetrical terrain. I decided to give the flat side a utilitarian purpose by cutting the sweater and making it a cardigan instead of a pull-over. After stitching a few beautiful suede buttons from a disintegrating vintage suede coat that belonged to my Mom the "function" also provides balance. This sweater in now one of my favorites again. My architecture no longer calls for centered closures, even the blouse shown under the sweater was renovated to accommodate my body.

One of my favorite quotes says it all:
"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

Now, go to your closet and get UNREASONABLE.

(Jacqueline Skaggs, founder of Rebel1in8 and creator/designer of Rhea Belle apparel)