Gillian Proctor is a face known to many in the intimate apparel industry, previously working as Associate Professor for Contour Fashion and Contour Fashion Communication at DMU.
In 2019 after a diagnosis of breast cancer the previous year she instigated the DMU Medical Forum which had to be put on hold during the pandemic. This year the Forum was relaunched to understand the issues and challenges face by patients post-surgery. DMU students as well as technical experts from the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities and HLS are joining forces. Underlines finds out more about this project and its progress to date.
How did the project come about?
Following a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer in summer 2018 my response was not dissimilar to everyone else’s, why me? Well, why not me? As 2 in 10 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK alone annually, someone had to get it and who better than I, in my then job position, to do something to affect a change.
I had numerous conversations with my surgeon. He knew a lot about the structure of breasts, I knew something of the structure of bras. This led to lengthy discussions about the discrepencies of information patients receive pre and post surgery, and how that might be improved. Pre and post surgery bra recommendation was sketchy at best and contradictary at worst, but what became evident was that this was a niche arena where significant changes could be applied.
As Associate Professor of Contour, I could have picked up the phone and had ready access to available post-surgery options, but the average woman in the street does not have that luxury. Instead I bought well over 20 bras from supermarkets and specialists and tested them all, hence began my research.
I was in Latvia at an international lingerie conference and began chatting to other industry representatives present. What became apparent was the niche between existing companies working in this field and direct access to the NHS.
Following a third lumpectomy, I made a deal with my surgeon that if I came through the surgery I would instigate a collaboration within the intimates and activewear industries to make some categorical changes for the better and to work cohesively via three strands. Clinicians, patients and industry. The Power of Three was devised.
Outline your aims and objectives with this project?
Ideally, I would like every lingerie and swimwear brand globally to accommodate within each range they developed a couple of products applicable or adaptable for post-surgery women. 62% of recovering patients struggle with lack of self esteem, loss of sexual allure, body dismorphia. As women, (and men), do not choose to suffer breast cancer, and the role of the clinician is to remove that cancer and save your life, invariably with the best cosmetic solution available. That role falls elsewhere.
Realistically, having experienced this disease, you are obliged to recognise that your body as you know it, will never be the same. My vast and stunning collection of ligerie (and I could have easily kitted out a fabulous lingerie boutique) is now redundant. And that in itself is a crime. Much of it has been donated to the students to experiment with. What are my objectives? I want everyone who has been through this to have the right to choose what they wear, be they have suffered breast cancer, scarring, burns, scoliosis, osteoarthritis, disability, whatever. I want to stimulate their minds to feel desirable again, to have a great positive mental attitiude to their new selves, albeit different, selves. We are not freaks, and should not be obliged to dress accordingly. We are your sisters, mothers, friends, daughters. We deserve prducts that recapture the essence of who we will become in the future…
DMU are partners with the UN’s SDG initiatives and sustainability is a keen driver. Our Univeristy stratedgy demands Partnerships with Purpose, and through the Medical Forum, The Power of Three and our amazing existing and hopefully new ones since the recent relaunch will enable this.
What do you read and whom do you follow in social media to keep ahead of trends?
I read a huge amount, daily, as an insomniac, my Kindle is my best friend so trends, magazines… I link consistently with WGSN, and am looking forward to returning to Interfiliere in July for the first time since 2019 to pomote the Forum and engage with our global members.
I do follow instagram and a few days ago read a piece which stated. ‘Strong women aren’t simply born, they are made from the storms they walk through’.
A Typical Week…in your life
I used to be a workaholic until my cancer diagnosis. I learnt, through that and other health concerns, including a bout with kidney cancer last year, to ease back. I recently lost all 3 of my closest family members and on my Dad’s deathbed made him a promise to stop being a working machine, put my health first and find a nice guy before I am too old to remember what to do with one!
Now I work within Enterprise at DMU I’m always out and about chasing collaboration with business and the Univeristy. I’ve always enjoyed intereaction with new people and making connections, more fun, less pressure. Weekends I garden and drink gin in sunny corners with people who make me smile.
Your proudest moment to date?
My Lifetime Achievement Oscar from the Industry and I am about to be made a Freeman of the Company of Leathersellers, both great accolades, neither of which I probably deserve.
Your next big challenge?
Completing the building of my extension, why do we start these projects? Learning to play the piano or speak Italian.. one of these days!
Your worst move so far?
Can’t honestly think of one, it will come to me at 3am.
What ambitions do you have going ahead?
Completing the extension, learning to play the piano (but then I’d have to have one), resuming the ability to travel, I miss that… book an amazing holiday.
What about time out?
More gardening, more reading, more rugby, and one day will encounter some incredible lingerie that I can wear 😊
The Medical Forum was relaunched in April 2023 with a meeting at DMU of lingerie brands, manufacturers, designers, patients, breast cancer charities and clinical specialists including consultant Jaroslaw Krupa, Head of the Breast Care & Oconoplasty Unit at Glenfield Hospital. Anyone requiring information or wishing to become involved in the Medical Forum, should contact the Principal Investigator, Gillian Proctor on gproctor@dmu.ac.uk.
