WHO WHAT WEAR
Helen Martin is a dancer and cancer survivor. She chooses simple and elegant with an emphasis on co-ordinated solids.
HELEN MARTIN
had plans for her retirement, none of which involved hospitals or oncologists.
It was 2002 and she had recently rediscovered her love of dance and performing. So, when she said goodbye to her 31-year career as an office administrator with the HamiltonWentworth-District School Board, Martin threw herself into tap and jazz with the Hamilton City Light dance chorus.
But even as she step-ballchanged her way into her new life, Martin knew to be wary — both her mother and aunt died of ovarian cancer, a disease with a genetic link. Being diligent about annual checkups was a necessity. And three years into her retirement, she got the news: an advanced-stage tumour was found on her ovary and she would require a full hysterectomy.
“I knew I was going to be in for the long haul,” says Martin, 74, who fought the disease three more times after her first recurrence and has now been in remission for five years.
Martin exhibited no symptoms — as is the hallmark of ovarian cancer — and credits her family doctor with saving her life after catching a problem during a routine annual physical. And because there can be no symptoms, Martin made it her mission to raise awareness of the disease, splitting her time between dance and volunteering with Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) as a speaker and presenter to doctors, patients and the general public.
“I’ve been well for five years now and I love what I’m doing but it doesn’t define me,” says Martin, whose contributions have been recognized with a 2013 Women of Distinction award, as well as an Ovarian Cancer Canada award in 2014. “But helping others with it is a big deal. Paying it forward.”
Martin says she likes to keep her outfits simple but elegant when she works as an OCC speaker, offering the example of a mid-calf herringbone skirt, crisp white blouse, slouch boots and black shrug-style cardigan. But she loves to add a touch of embellishment to each outfit, so she’ll often plan her outfit around her jewelry, like she did here, opting for a navy blue polka-dot Alia shirt over Nygärd Slims denim pants and a navy leather jacket her kids gifted to her this past Christmas to offset her silver jewelry.
“When I was younger I was a spring palette — so, all the lovely muted warm tones,” says Martin, who wears a silver cuff bangle her late husband, Len, gave her when they graduated high school 57 years ago. “But when my hair came back silver, I moved to greys and a lot of blues.”
Martin is also a big fan of solids and colour co-ordinating — the polka dots are at the top end of her print tolerance — and lets the designs in her jewelry do the talking. Like the ring and earrings she wears here and purchased while on a recovery trip to Cancun, Mexico with her daughter. She finishes her look with a silver pendant and navy blue peeptoe shoes she scored on sale from Hudson’s Bay.
Most eye catching piece
These blue shoes. Because that’s what everybody seems to notice, no matter what I’m wearing. I don’t wear them often — how often do you get to wear shoes like this?
Quirkiest wardrobe item
A red and black fitted (jacquard pattern) top with black sheer shoulders and sleeves. And it was a surprise gift from my husband Len after I admired it in the window of a little boutique in Stoney Creek next to The Village restaurant. And it was under the tree at Christmas.
Wardrobe must have
Black pants or leggings and boots. But a straightleg pant for dress-up. I have suede slouch boots, I have a tan pair of suede western ankle boots … an ankle boot, grey, with some silver beading around the cuff of it.
Best purchase
Discovering the Nygärd
Slims was great. And I have about four pair of them. And this dress … a midnight blue dress with sheer shoulders from Laura. Because it’s a good quality dress. It’s classic, you can do lots of things with it, you can wear lots of jewelry with it because it’s pretty basic. But with the sheer shoulders and sleeves, it gives it that little bit of a perk. I ended up wearing it for a couple of special OCC things — our 50th anniversary party, the last Christmas party my husband and I went to, so it’s a really good dress.
Regrets buying
If I did, I don’t have it anymore. Because I like ruffles and ruched blouses and stuff and I bought a couple and they look horrible on me. So I just got rid of them.
Loves to shop at
I don’t really like to
shop. Most of my (favourite pieces) and accessories are found accidentally at the church rummage sale or Value Village when I need a specific piece.
Ridding your closet of
I should dump things I still really like, but they’re decades old. Because I have a lot of good things that are just old. They’re great. Most things I can still fit into but some I haven’t and my favourite hunter green leather skirt, I just gave to my granddaughter on Sunday. It’s just not zipping anymore. Splurges on
I would splurge on an item that knocks me out if I’m actually in a proper clothing store. I wouldn’t really worry too much about the price if it was something really special. Like that (blue) dress was really special when I saw it … I’m fine with really good things if it’s really special and I don’t buy things that often, so it doesn’t matter if I have to splurge on something like that.
Beauty item you can’t live without
My L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB cream. And lip and eyeliners and mascara … I’ve mostly been buying NYX or an Annabelle pencil. It’s just finding the right colour. And if I can find a waterproof one, the line will stay on most of the day. And then the lipstick can go on.