Our Story
Meet The
Founder
Our Story
What if I told you that when I was 18 I had a breast tumour?
But before we get into that, I feel it’s important I introduce myself. My name is Grace and I am the founder of RE:FORM underwear, otherwise known as RU and I am so beyond grateful that you have taken the time to read my story.
It all starts back in 2021 when I unintentionally came across a lump in my left breast.
After the initial panic, I tried my hardest to pretend like it wasn’t there. But as they say, unresolved issues only grow larger over time and my tumour grew so fast in such a short space of time it reached a point where I could no longer just ignore it and became a point of genuine concern.
And so after much procrastination, I got in touch with my Doctor.
After my GP appointment then came an immediate referral to a Breast Care Clinic which is where I underwent an ultrasound as well as a double biopsy, and after an almost 2 week wait to receive the lab results, I had my answer.
I was diagnosed with something called a fibroadenoma — a benign (non-cancerous) breast tumour, most common in younger women and something I had certainly never heard of.
And just over a year on from this discovery, I underwent surgery to completely remove the tumour that in the end spanned well over 2 inches.
The things no one teaches you
Before finding my fibroadenoma, no one had ever really taught me how to check my breasts, at least not properly. And at the time I certainly wasn’t carrying out routine self-checks as I had absolutely no idea that a breast tumour could be possible at such a young age, because after all, I was only 18.
I was also unaware that a lump doesn’t always signify something sinister which I think is important to mention as that was one of the main reasons I was so scared to get checked.
But of course, my experience won’t always be the same outcome for others, which is why I feel something like RU is so important. I understand I was incredibly fortunate, which is why I have made it my mission over the last few years to create something beautiful, impactful and empowering with a strong and clear mission…to educate, remind and ultimately help save lives.
Why I started RU
This is where the idea for RE:FORM underwear all began.
I wanted to use my experience as a force for good and to be the platform I so badly needed…not just because of the unmatched awareness we promote around all things breast health but also for those looking for something as simple as reassurance. To provide education, understanding and to offer a sense of community to those affected after either finding a lump and the uncertainty that comes with that or for those affected by breast cancer either first hand or third-party.
Because of this, I wanted to create a lingerie brand that does more than just make women feel beautiful — I wanted to create a brand that encourages awareness around such a topic, provides the much needed education around breast health I so obviously lacked whilst, in turn, helping normalise and remind people of all ages about the importance of regular self-checks.
I had always dreamed about a career that would help people. A career that had meaning as well as the potential to genuinely change the lives of others...and I like to think with RU we can do just that.
And this is why RE:FORM underwear is so much bigger than just me. We as a brand have the ability to help others. To create a community founded on the idea that knowledge is power and that this power has the ability to change the course of so many lives.
To educate, remind and equip women and people with the resources they need through our self-checking ethos, not to mention our self-check reminder charms that have been delicately hand sewn onto the left hand side of every bra to act as that reminder that so aptly reads “self-checking saves”
Because finding a tumour at 18 was scary, confusing, and lonely when it didn’t need to be — but it also gave me purpose. It showed me how important it is to ensure others are educated on their own bodies, no matter how young or old, and the impact RU as a brand could have on the lives of so many, all because of the experiences I went through as a young adult, as I truly like to believe that everything really does happen for a reason.
Thank you for reading, Grace x
