MY LIGHT BULB MOMENT

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash

MeliSSa OdaBaSh started her career as a swimwear model after being scouted by an agent at the age of 18. in 1999, she set up her own swimwear brand, now a favourite of the duchess of Cambridge, Gwyneth Paltrow and pop star Rihanna. Melissa lives in london with her husband, nicolas, a brand strategist, and their two teenage daughters. I HAD my light bulb moment — about creating swimwear for women affected by breast cancer — 15 years ago. I had just started designing when a client of mine, the wife of a rock star, asked me for a bespoke bikini, as she couldn’t have breast reconstruction after surgery.

I came up with an idea and called my factory in Italy, but just couldn’t explain it over the phone. so the swimsuit didn’t work.

Then, ten years ago, my sister Jamie was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only 40. Thankfully, she made a full recovery, but it affected her confidence and femininity. She needed designs that were cut higher on the neck to hide her scarring. Then, two years ago, after attending a lunch for breast cancer charity Future Dreams, the women behind the charity asked me if I could get involved in some way. I said yes — here, finally, was my chance to launch a range of stylish post-surgery swimwear.

I talked to my pattern cutters, sent drawings back and forth to the Italian factory and we came up with a range. We were able to alter patterns to include sewn-in moulded cups, wide, adjustable straps and high-back bands, with the option to insert a breast form in the most supportive and natural way possible. There are no seams as breast tissue can be sensitive after chemo and surgery.

Luxury fashion site Net-a-Porter took the whole collection — and it sold out within six weeks.

Breast cancer survivor and former British Olympic gymnast Jacquie Beltrao, 51, modelled the designs.

I’m learning all the time: not every woman has the same scarring or sensitivity. Being able to give women the confidence to go to the beach gives me a huge sense of satisfaction.