/blog en pbrett@veronicabrett.com Copyright 2013 2013-06-13T18:59:21+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/supreme-court-strikes-down-brca-gene-patent/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/supreme-court-strikes-down-brca-gene-patent/#When:17:59:21Z If you know me, you know how little time I have on my hands between designing post-mastectomy swimsuits for Veronica Brett and raising a 12-year old son. That usually means some things have to go by the wayside, including blogs. Translation, something must be incredibly important in order for me to sit down and type out a blog. Well ladies and gentlemen, the day of reckoning has occurred!   The Supreme Court ruled today that isolated genes cannot be patented, a partial defeat for Myriad Genetics, who held the patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.  What this hopefully means for you and me:  -patients will have greater access to gene testing -the cost of gene testing should go down -doctors and researchers can engage in research on these genes without fear of being sued In all, it is a very good day for those of us with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Thank you justices Thomas, Roberts, Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito, Sotomayor and Kagan. And a very huge thank you to all in the BRCA community and medical community who have championed this cause for gene freedom! 2013-06-13T17:59:21+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/angelina-jolie-is-heroic/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/angelina-jolie-is-heroic/#When:20:23:48Z Most everyone now knows the story about Angelina Jolie, her choice to have a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy and had a chance to see the story on the Today Show with Hoda Kotb. But did you know who the cute pregnant blonde is in the video along with Hoda, Angelina and Brad? None other than my niece, Gabrielle Brett! Like Angelina (and me) Gabe elected to have a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy to significantly reduce her chances of developing breast cancer. I'm so proud of my niece for not only her decision to have the surgery, but to be such an advocate for breast cancer survivors and previvors for so long. As Gabe mentions, "It gives women the opportunity to research their options and get the blood test." A risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy is not for everyone. It is important to know your family history and see a genetic counselor if breast or ovarian cancer run in your family. So know you know who the cute blond is! Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy 2013-05-15T20:23:48+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/question-how-to-get-press-for-your-small-business-answer-feel-your-boobies/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/question-how-to-get-press-for-your-small-business-answer-feel-your-boobies/#When:19:35:26Z Since the fabulous TV interview by Lauren Glassberg on ABC evening news a few weeks back, so many people have asked, “How do you get such amazing press?!”  First Oprah Magazine, then Harper’s BAZAAR and next ABC 5pm news!!! Well, the answer is one that might surprise you.  It’s “Feel Your Boobies”! Well actually, it’s a very long story about how I participated in a Feel Your Boobies Flash mob at Union Square in NYC back on April 12th.  Leigh Hurst, Feel Your Boobies founder, was in town with the Boobies van for a flash mob.  The day consisted of a Gorilla in a pink tutu and lots of (initially) strangers stringing together donated bras (and one swimsuit- that would be me!) to raise awareness of the need for self breast exam. (No matter what anyone says, it’s free, it’s easy, and you are totally in control.  Learn more about self breast exam here.) As I was standing around waiting for the chain of bras to grow (it would soon be long enough to encircle Union Square), I was approached by a reporter, Mary Johnson, of DNAinfo.com.  Mary asked who I was, why I was attending the flash mob, etc.  I happily answered her questions for a few minutes, then took her over and introduced her to Leigh and said, “This is the person you need to be interviewing”.  Mary wrote a fantastic blog on the Boobie’s flash mob, complete with quote from yours truly. But how does this have anything to do with the gorgeous Lauren Glassberg and her “About Town” segment on Veronica Brett swimwear you might be asking yourself?  Just stay with me a minute or two… Several weeks after the Boobies event, I got a sweet email from Mary Johnson asking if she could interview me for the DNA.info website.  Sure, no problem.  Mary came to my office, we had a great conversation and Mary’s beautiful story on Veronica Brett swimwear for breast cancer survivors appeared online at DNAinfo.com on July 3rd, while I was away in Ohio, celebrating the one-year birthday of the incredible Ainsley (my great niece who is worthy of her own blog-post!!). The Friday afternoon after Mary’s article ran, my office phone rang about 4pm.  One of those times when you think do I really want to answer the phone or do I want to duck out of the office and call it an early day?!  (Hint - pick up the phone!) Who is on the other end?  Lauren Glassberg, who introduces herself, says she learned about me from the DNAinfo story and wants to share my story and the story of Veronica Brett swimwear for breast cancer survivors with her viewers!!! I managed to stay calm, not fall out of my chair, and set a date with Lauren for the interview, which was to take place at my office and at Kimara Ahnert, a gorgeous boutique on Madison Avenue at 83rd Street, which carries my post-surgical swimwear. (Full disclosure, it’s post-mastectomy swimwear but I call it swimwear for ALL women, it’s swimwear so gorgeous there is no reason anyone wouldn’t want to buy it!!). So there you have it, it’s not about the right publicist (although I’m sure that might help…) it’s about being true to you, what you believe in, and supporting those organizations that share your belief system. So, go home, feel your own Boobies and start supporting those not-for-profits that have meaning for you and your small business.     2012-08-20T19:35:26+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/abc-tv-interview-woman-designs-swimsuits-for-breast-cancer-patients/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/abc-tv-interview-woman-designs-swimsuits-for-breast-cancer-patients/#When:13:58:59Z 2012-08-03T13:58:59+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/pop-up-shop-to-benefit-young-survival-coalition1/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/pop-up-shop-to-benefit-young-survival-coalition1/#When:21:21:47Z New York - Veronica Brett, www.veronicabrett.com, the first luxury collection of swimwear created especially for breast cancer survivors, announces its first Pop-Up Shop. Featuring swimwear and accessories for the season, the Veronica Brett Pop-Up Shop will be held on June 16th, from 1-4 pm, at Margaret Thatcher Projects, 539 West 23rd Street, Ground Floor, in Chelsea.  One-piece swimsuits, bikinis, sarongs, and caftans will be available for purchase and will occupy the gallery space alongside the work of Carlos Estrada-Vega: Building a Painting.  Visitors to the Pop-Up Shop will be able to select from colorful 1-pc and 2-pc swimsuits in the season’s hottest colors: Tangerine Tango and brilliant Turquoise.  Also on hand will be Veronica Brett classic swim styles in Black and Ivory.  Veronica Brett features elegant silhouettes including one-shoulder bikinis, plunging lace-up halters, and a retro boy short.   Veronica Brett is donating 10% of all sales from the Pop-Up Shop to Young Survival Coalition. YSC was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer.  Founded by young survivors for young survivors, YSC offers free programs, support, and educational materials so that young women with breast cancer know they are not alone. www.youngsurvival.org A Yale-trained architect, Patricia Brett founded Veronica Brett in 2010.  Inspired by her sister, a 15-year survivor, Patricia created this luxury swimwear collection to address the unique fashion needs of women who have experienced breast surgery.  Since that time, Veronica Brett has developed a following, becoming known for its sophisticated silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and minimalist detailing.  In essence, Veronica Brett has evolved into a fashion-forward swimwear collection for all women seeking classic chic and a fantastic fit. Veronica Brett launched in May 2010, with an event at Elie Tahari, East Hampton, and has been featured in Harper’s BAZAAR, Oprah Magazine, as well as numerous other fashion publications. Veronica Brett swimwear is available at www.veronicabrett.com and select boutiques in Seattle, Scottsdale, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Canada, and Switzerland.  For a complete list of retailers, see http://veronicabrett.com/boutiques Veronica Brett is also sold on-line at SOMA.   Press contacts:  Patricia Brett, Veronica Brett, 212.722.0745, pbrett@veronicabrett.com Margaret Thatcher, Margaret Thatcher Projects, 212.675.0222, info@thatcherprojects.com Suzanne Beckmann, YSC, 646.257.3020, sbeckmann@youngsurvival.org 2012-06-05T21:21:47+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/sisters-out-to-change-the-world-one-swimsuit-at-a-time/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/sisters-out-to-change-the-world-one-swimsuit-at-a-time/#When:13:10:22Z “Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters…” I still smile whenever I think of this song and envision my sisters Regina and Mary acting out the song and dance number from White Christmas.  It’s a routine from my childhood that manages to get replayed whenever two or more Brett sisters (full disclosure, there are six of us!) get together and start acting silly.  Sometimes it’s Theresa, Joan or Maureen getting into the act, while Regina is usually the instigator of the song. Falling at the tail end of the family, I tend more toward giggling and being amused by the others, although on occasion I have kicked up my heels and joined in. The latest sisters inspiring me to smile right now are Deb and Randi, sisters united in their passion to help fellow breast cancer survivors. I first met Debra Redett back in May, when I was fitting her for a post-mastectomy swimsuit.  We hit it off right away and she started telling me about her sister, Randi Scott, also a breast cancer survivor.  Not only was Deb thrilled with the post-surgical tankini I sold her, she wanted to tell the world about my swimsuits (well, maybe not the world, but most of Connecticut!). “These are such sexy swimsuits.  Breast cancer survivors need to know about these!”  Deb said at our first meeting.  Her enthusiasm was contagious, she convinced both her sister Randi and me. Now, only about six weeks later, the sisters are on a roll: First, they visited boutiques and told them about my swimwear collection created especially for survivors. Next thing you know, Veronica Brett swimwear is in Darien Sport Shop, Lady Olga’s, Soleil Toile, The Boutique at Smilow and Whispers.  Whew!  Not bad for two sisters out spreading the word. Then came a trunk show at Darien Sport Shop followed by a front-page feature in the New Haven Register. (Front page on a Sunday no less!) An interview with Gillian Neff for 12 on Health brought us all together. Fellow breast cancer survivor Ann DeMatteo interviewed Deb and Randi (now officially know as “brand ambassadors”) in their home.  They explained to Ann they felt it was karma that we met.  Not only did they both survive breast cancer, they lost their mother to ovarian cancer.  Like me, breast and ovarian cancer seems to run in their family.  It is somehow fitting that I have two sisters spreading the word about my swimwear, after all, it was my sister Regina (a 15-year breast cancer survivor) who was the original inspiration for my swimwear collection.  What’s next for the sisters and Veronica Brett? The Looking Forward Fashion Show in New Haven at Anthony’s Ocean View where two of my swimsuits will be featured in the runway portion of the evening.  Deb will model the Convertible Bandeau and Erica (who I get to meet tomorrow for the first time) will model the Halter.  It was breast cancer that drew these sisters closer together and breast cancer that brought them to me.  Now, they are off to help other women like themselves. Like the song goes, “all kinds of weather, we stick together...”   2012-06-04T13:10:22+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/tory-burch-foundation-accion-usa-gives-women-entrepreneurs-inspiration-and-/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/tory-burch-foundation-accion-usa-gives-women-entrepreneurs-inspiration-and-/#When:15:20:54Z As a solo entrepreneur, sometimes I wonder why I am in New York, among the most expensive cities in which to live.  Not exactly the ideal place to start a business.  Or is it?   NYC does present opportunities that don’t exist elsewhere.   Take this morning for instance. I got a great dose of inspiration at the Tory Burch Foundation / Accion USA event at the Tory Burch showroom. I heard Mickey Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, speak to a group of (mostly) women entrepreneurs.     To hear Mickey Drexler and Tory Burch offer their advice: priceless.    Here are a few inspirational tips from J Crew's Mickey Drexler:   Read the biography on Steve Jobs. All entrepreneurs should read this.  Make it simple, change your customers' lives.  (with your product, fashions, whatever) “If I’m thinking it, it is.” Probably the best quote of the day from Mickey.  A firm reminder that everything starts with an idea somewhere.  He seems like a guy that makes ideas happen. “Just have great goods.” (ie create great products) “Focus-focus-focus.” "Stay niche, stay true." (my personal favorite)   From Tory Burch:  Social media should be pure authenticity, not promotions. Use your blog for inspiration, even talk about other designers and their work.    Thanks to today’s event organizers, Ms. Burch, and Mr. Drexler, for today’s inspiration and wake up call. I had an idea to change women's lives. I'm making it happen, even in one of the most expensive -- and exhilarating -- cities in the world.  2012-04-19T15:20:54+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/why-made-in-the-u.s.a.-matters-or-the-story-of-michelles-rice-cooker/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/why-made-in-the-u.s.a.-matters-or-the-story-of-michelles-rice-cooker/#When:15:58:27Z I stopped into my new cutting room today to check in on the status of the work.  (Full disclosure, I'm trying a new cutter as I got tired of being bullied-about by my earlier one.) (For those of you who don't know anything about domestic apparel manufacturing, most garments made in the U.S.A. require the coordinated work of a couple of factories.  The "cutting room" cuts the fabric, and the "factory" generally "makes and trims", i.e., they sew the garment pieces together and apply any trims.) So, when I stopped into the cutting room today in the NYC garment district, Michelle, the lovely Chinese lady who runs the place, was nowhere to be seen.  When I asked where she was, I was told to wait.  After a few minutes, in walked Michelle, smiling and carrying what appeared to be a very heavy pot with a lid. It turns out it was the pot of a rice cooker, and Michelle had just filled it with rice and water.  As Michelle put the pot in place on the rice cooker and plugged in the power, I asked her if she was making rice for the whole factory (it was after all, a very large pot with a great deal of rice in it). "Yes", she replied, "I make rice everyday".  "So everyone eats together at the same time and eats like a family?" I asked.  "Yes, they bring their own vegetables and meat, I make the rice, so everyone have hot rice for lunch." I told her that I liked the idea of everyone stopping work and sitting down to eat together over a communal pot of rice (cooked by the forewoman/boss no less). "Especially important in winter to have hot rice for lunch" she went on to explain. She seemed to beam as we talked about her cooking of the rice and she proudly showed off her enormous rice cooker, which looked as though it had seen years of use. She then went on to show me the giant coffee maker (my Aunt Francie had one just like it which she used for family reunions, "open houses" as my family called them). Michelle then pointed out the small refrigerator and mircowave, "we have small kitchen here,"  she said.  She seemed surprised that I understood the value of feeding your co-workers and everyone eating together as a family.  I found myself getting a little choked up as we were speaking. I realized that this was a clean, organized, quiet cutting room, run by a woman who took care of her employees.  Not only was I not being bullied-about by the owner, but the workers were being looked after and treated like family. This seemed like such an incredible contrast to some of the stories of foreign manufacturing I have been hearing lately.  From the fire at the factory in Bangladesh that killed 29 people to the nets put up at the Apple factory to prevent suicides, factories in Asia have always scared me. I choose early on to have my swimsuits for breast cancer survivors made in the U.S.A.  I grew up in a really blue-collar household in Northeast Ohio and I remember my Dad going on, in the early 70's, about how impossible it was to find a TV that was made in the US and how, pretty soon, nothing would be made here any more. My dad was way ahead of his time.  There is very little make in the US these days, and it is very hard for those of us who want to do domestic manufacturing to actually find the people who can do it properly.  Those designers who do make domestically, closely guard the secrets of where they are manufacturing.  As one old-timer in the business told me when I was starting out, "I'd sooner give you my husband's cell number than the name of my factory!" I'm really happy to have met Michelle.  I still don't know if her shop is the best cutter to use for my swimsuits, but I'm happy to take a chance on them for a while, as long as she continues to treat me well, and cook for her family. 2012-03-05T15:58:27+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/me-on-tv-abcs-sonoran-living/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/me-on-tv-abcs-sonoran-living/#When:14:56:33Z I recently had the opportunity to present my 2012 Veronica Brett swimwear collection at Phoenix Fashion Week. I also had the fantastic experience of representing Phoenix Fashion Week on ABC's Sonoran Living where I was interviewed by Andi Barness. What did this mean in reality?  Getting up at 4am for a 5am model fitting in order to arrive on set for a 9:15 live segment.  It doesn't sound too bad, except for the fact that I got to bed at 1:30 am Phoenix time (that's 4:30am NY time!).  So essentially, I went to bed after I woke up.  Was it worth it, absolutely.  I had the chance to tell the story behind the Veronica Brett swimwear collection, the models looked amazing and Andi Barness couldn't have been a better hostess. (Oh, and I got to plug both Phoenix Fashion Week and Fashionably Pink, the runway benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure!)  So how did I do, you watch and decide. 2011-11-15T14:56:33+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/how-do-you-succeed-as-an-entrepreneur/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/how-do-you-succeed-as-an-entrepreneur/#When:14:53:53Z Lot's of people have asked for advice since I launched Veronica Brett swimwear just over a year ago. I usually give advice on their specific questions:  how to find funding, how to get to launch, etc. But this past weekend, I got some fresh insight that surprised even me. I took my son out for a walk on Sunday, post Hurricane Irene, both to get some fresh air after being stuck indoors and to survey the damage to our local UES park, Carl Schurz Park. My son wanted to bring his Swiss Army knife along, why not I thought.  The afternoon progressed with me giving Harry lessons on how to use the pocket knife.  He was stabbing at the wood and digging into the sticks he had scavenged without much effect.  The blade kept getting stuck and he wasn't making any progress in either sawing the sticks in half or in carving out a notch. I demonstrated for him, that in order to saw the stick in half, you had to just barely graze the wood, stroking the knife back and forth very lightly, rather than pushing it.  The stick cut in two easily and cleanly. The same went for the carving, it was much more effective to shave very small amounts of wood with the knife rather than trying to take out big chunks of wood.  We made a beautiful, deep notch in the wood. I hadn't used a pocket knife in years (although I do own one) but the results surprised even me.  The lighter the touch and the slower the movement - the greater the result (and with considerably less effort!). I suddently found myself with another "aha moment" for my business.  It's not about carving out big chunks or trying to slice a problem in two in one go, it's about small, steady, methodical progress. Not only are the small whittling motions easier on the hand, they also make for a more enjoyable experience in the process. So the next time you are tring to accomplish an enormous task at work or achieve the next big hurdle in your start-up, think like a wood carver and take small, steady, relaxed steps.  You might just find you get to your goal a whole lot faster. Happy carving, Patricia 2011-08-31T14:53:53+00:00