Gorgeous Swimsuits Made For Women With Masectomies

Is there anything that the Nordic countries aren’t amazing at? Social services? Food? And now, they’ve made an amazing and body-positive bathing suit designed for breast cancer survivors. It’s called the Monokini 2.0, and it’s fantastic in so many ways.

The Monokini 2.0 is the product of Nutty Tarts, a pair of Finnish Artists and Elina Halttunen, a breast cancer survivor. Beyond having an incredible name, the artist duo employs different mediums to critique issues surrounding cultural and social inequality. The team joined forces with Halttunen, whom herself underwent a mastectomy associated with her breast cancer. During an exceptionally hot summer, she was faced with the challenge of finding herself a swimsuit within a marketplace that offers only swimwear fitted for 2 breasts. On the Monokini 2.0 website, Halttunen says:

"Having only one breast made finding fitting bikinis difficult, therefore I fashioned my own Monokini. Having done that, I thought that maybe there would be others out there like me, women who wanted swimwear that would not make them feel that they were missing a breast."

She came to the Nutty Tarts team with her idea, and they were eager to get the project going immediately. They view the collection of monokinis as a critique on the cultural norms and ideologies that proscribe the “ideal” and "attractive" female body. While many women with breast cancer opt to augment the affected breast after undergoing masectomies, the idea that women are basically obliged to do so speaks volumes about the implicit intolerance of societies towards bodies that don’t fit the mold.

Considering the sheer prevalence of breast cancer, it’s surprising that this project seems to be the first of its kind. You gotta tip your hat to the Nutty Tarts team for their brashness and their unique vision. Not to mention, for making some crazy cool swimsuits.

Image: Monokini 2.0

Some of the pieces evoke ‘60s mod, others reference cheeky ‘80s graphics, and a few are serious warrior princess gear.

Image: Monokini 2.0

Servin' some Valyrian realness.

Image: Monokini 2.0

A twist on the classic Speedo takes things in a bit of a sportier direction.

Image: Monokini 2.0

I totally see some Balmain influence in this one...

Image: Monokini 2.0

This number is very reminiscent of The Birth of Venus.

If you find these pieces as awesome as I do, you should donate to their crowdfunding project! The site opens for donations on the 30th of May.