American retailer Vans has collaborated with breast cancer charity CoppaFeel! to release a collection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The aim of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – which takes place every October – is to educate on the health condition, fund life-saving research and encourage people to regularly check their breasts.
In honour of the occasion, on Tuesday 1 October Vans is due to release a range of apparel designed with breast-themed patterns, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to CoppaFeel!, a UK-based organisation.
“For our charity, this collaboration with Vans is a dream come true,” said Kris Hallenga, founder of the charity.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to spread our message across Vans’ audience, as this partnership will allow us to tell more people why checking their boobs is so important, and in return, save lives.”
All the graphics and illustrations featured on clothing items in the collection were created by in-house designers at Vans.
The range – which is targeted at women, men and children – includes shoes, shirts, hats, socks, T-shirts, bags and hoodies.
A blue pattern featured on a pair of loafers in the collection demonstrates how to carry out a self-examination.
“The illustration style uses simple shapes and minimal linework to highlight the bold use of colour and the unity of interlocking figures,” said Diandre Fuentes, designer for Vans Footwear.
“Breast cancer is a disease that affects everyone regardless of their race or status, and we wanted the women in the illustrations to reflect this reality.”
Fuentes added that the goal of the collection is to “break the taboos of early cancer detection” and “encourage consumers to check themselves”.
The collection will be available to purchase from the Vans website from Tuesday 1 October.
The company states that at least $200,000 (£162,760) of money accumulated from sales will be donated to CoppaFeel!.
Earlier this year, a study conducted by Bupa and HCA Healthcare UK found that one in four women do not check their breasts for signs of breast cancer.
To learn more about early signs of breast cancer and how to spot them, click here.
To find out how to carry out a self-examination, click here.
