SECRETLY HIDDEN LAUNCHES STYLISH SLEEPWEAR DESIGNED FOR AND BY SURVIVORS OF BREAST CANCER

Media Release July 2005

The woman behind Australia's first range of gorgeous cotton nightgowns created especially for women who have had breast surgery knows that the secret to a good night's sleep is feeling beautiful and comfortable.

Lynne Gaffney, the Owner of SECRETLY HIDDEN, was running a successful travel agency in South Melbourne when she was diagnosed with breast cancer early last year. She underwent a mastectomy soon after, and was so appalled by the lack of choice on offer to women like herself looking for stylish sleepwear, swimwear and lingerie, she decided to create some herself.

"Considering around 11,300 Australian women are diagnosed with new cases of breast cancer every year, I couldn't believe no one was designing really beautiful apparel suitable for women who have undergone breast surgery," she says. "When you have a breast, or part of a breast, removed, you need to wear a specially designed bra to keep your new breast form in place. But who wants to wear a bra to bed? I searched high and low - in all the shops and on the internet - for a nightie I could wear without a bra underneath, and there was simply nothing around.

"There are some bras and swimwear available through retail stores but to be honest they're pretty daggy. And when you're recovering from breast surgery, it's more important than ever to wear things that make you feel good - attractive and confident and desirable," she says.

SECRETLY HIDDEN SLEEPWEAR is about as far from a drafty hospital gown as it gets. The focus is on clean, simple lines, feminine fabrics and natural fibres that are soft on the skin and able to breathe.

The first line of 100% cotton nightgowns comes in a range of sizes, styles and colours. All are easy to get on and off (as women initially have restricted movement of the associated arm after breast surgery). They also provide super breast support and hold breast forms securely in place via subtle pockets concealed within the bust.

SECRETLY HIDDEN SLEEPWEAR is the ideal gift for any woman who has lost a breast to cancer, although Ms Gaffney says it is equally suitable for anyone looking for "pretty, supportive sleepwear". "Our garments are not restricted to women who have had mastectomies," she says.

Nor is SECRETLY HIDDEN limited to sleepwear. Ms Gaffney says she's already working on a range of SECRETLY HIDDEN lingerie and swimwear, spurred on by the enthusiastic response from women all over Australia to her recently released nightgowns.