Scots Real Housewives of Jersey star Tessa Hartmann has joined Kylie Minogue and Towie's Ella Rae Wise to design a bespoke breast cancer tshirt.
Businesswoman and Scottish and Jersey Fashion Awards founder Tessa had her own battle with breast cancer when she was diagnosed with the disease back in 2017.
She underwent a mastectomy operation with reconstruction, followed by an operation to remove 22 lymph nodes under her arm and a subsequent 6 months of gruelling chemotherapy.
Determined to tackle her illness with humour and change the sometimes scary language of her illness to protect her four children, she named her new breast 'Barbra' – after actress and singer Barbra Streisand – and her old breast 'Britney', joking it was 'a bit 90s and but still had lots of life in it yet'.
By introducing a name for her new breast, she brought a little smile to an otherwise challenging journey for everyone at home.
Tessa was approached by the Pink Ribbon to design a tshirt to reflect her breast cancer journey - and her design was launched this week on International Women's Day .
It joins designs by Kylie Minogue, who was also diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in the early stages of the disease and Towie's Ella Rae Wise whose late aunt got the all clear following a mastectomy, but tragically passed away from Covid-19 in February 2021.
Tessa's design was based around her nickname for her reconstructed boob, #loveyourbarbra, which she intends to grow as a non-profit brand.
The design has a funky, 70’s vintage vibe and has already gone down well with a host of telly folk and reality stars who have worn it with pride.
Amongst them are Alesha Dixon, Gemma Collins, Gabby Logan and Pixie Lott.
Tessa said: "I'm so excited and delighted to have designed this tshirt for The Pink Ribbon Foundation and I'm do grateful for my pals who have worn one to support me.
Tessa's tshirt is available until the end of March exclusively from the Pink Ribbon Foundation official store
