Pop Culture Scan
Breasts, Power and Cancer continued...
by Kim Heismann
The Big Cover Up: Bras for support, fashion or ….are they better as art?
"In the last decade, manufacturers that once sold sturdy, supportive 'foundations' reconceived lingerie as fashion, increasing their advertising while cutting back on basic fit and function (like linings under scratchy lace)" says Jessica Seigel, a.k.a. NPR's " Countess of Culture ”. America has been sold on the idea that bras are a part of our secret fantasy life courtesy of someone named Victoria.
In Jessica's article, she cites John Tyrer , the scientist leading the brassiere 
team at the mechanical engineering department of Loughborough University in the UK. According to Mr. Tyrer, ever since bras were invented more than 100 years ago, they had not supported women's busts efficiently. Dr. Tyrer has taken on the task of designing the right mechanism employing laser's better known for use on space shuttles. The results? The new bra looks similar to conventional ones, but the intelligent fabrics and the laser-designed straps allow the weight to be distributed throughout the upper torso, thus relieving pesky back pain.
But what will the bra be made from? I have a suggestion for whoever holds the key to this brassier bank: Think about using a non-toxic fabric. These days, many bras are made from polyester. Polyester provides a cheap and durable source of fiber that launders easily. However, polyester is often 
made with flame-retardants called PBDE's that are highly suspicious carcinogens. Regardless of the question of whether polyester does or does not expose us to its PBDE's, do we really want to be so
vulnerable in our undergarments??
What shall we do with all those bras when we decide we've had enough? Jessica Seigel might recommend donating them to Emily Duffy's future community art projects like the Braball.
Young People Changing the World
© 2004 POP SUSTAINABILITY
