Monokini 2.0 - Who Says You Need Two?
Monokini 2.0 was a remarkable art project that actively addressed the limited perception of women's body ideals prevalent in Western culture. It sought to challenge and expand the boundaries of beauty by creating a swimwear collection specifically designed for women who have undergone breast cancer and mastectomy. By focusing on the fact that mainstream swimwear primarily caters to women with two intact breasts, the project shed light on the expectations surrounding body figures.
A significant aspect of Monokini 2.0 was acknowledging the choices and preferences of women who have opted not to undergo breast reconstruction surgery, instead embracing their lives with one or no breasts. The project aimed to celebrate and empower these women, offering them a platform to redefine societal beauty standards.
Executed in Finland in 2013, Monokini 2.0 involved the collaboration of artists Katriina Haikala and Vilma Metteri. In addition to designing two bathing suits themselves, they invited nine Finnish fashion designers to contribute to the project, resulting in a collection of eleven unique and thought-provoking swimsuits. Alongside the swimwear, eleven powerful photographs were created, reflecting the influence of commercial culture while featuring the inspiring women who modeled the designs.
Following a successful photography exhibition that toured the Nordic countries in 2014, Monokini 2.0 returned to Helsinki as a charity catwalk show. In August 2015, the event took place at the Yrjönkatu indoor swimming pool, combining the presentation of the Monokini 2.0 bathing suits with live music by singer-songwriter Astrid Swan, synchronized swimmers, and captivating video art. This collaborative endeavor united the realms of art, design, music, and an engaged audience, creating a memorable and impactful night.
The catwalk show not only showcased the bravery of the models and the innovative swimwear but also served as a means to raise funds for The Cancer Society of Finland to support breast cancer research. The concept behind the event garnered international attention, and Monokini 2.0 has been featured in numerous prestigious media outlets and publications worldwide, including the Huffington Post, Bored Panda, Medical Daily, Al Jazeera, NBC, El Pais, Upworthy, and the Times of India.
Exhibitions
Monokini 2.0 photographs have been showcased in Finnish museum of photography, Helsinki, Finland, Museum Anna Nordlander Skellefteå, Sweden, Gallery Kunstplasse Oslo, Norway, the Gallery of Finnish Cultural Institute in Stockholm Sweden, Kirurgveckan in Örebro, Sweden and in the State’s fine arts museum in Murmansk, Russia.
Working group
Artists Katriina Haikala & Vilma Metteri (Tärähtäneet ämmät), Producers Laura Porola & Anna Miettinen, Photographer Pinja Valja
Selected Press
Today.com
Mastectomy ‘monokini’ swimwear helps breast cancer survivors feel beautiful
The Huffington Post
Breast Cancer Survivors Prove There’s More To Life Than Worrying About Your Bikini Body
Cosmopolitan
8 Incredible Swimsuits Designed for Breast Cancer Survivors
Marie Claire
The Monokini Is Swim Fashion with a Hard-Hitting Purpose
Medical Daily
Breast Cancer Survivors, Meet The Monokini 2.0: Swimsuits Designed For Women Who Have Undergone A Mastectomy
Boredpanda.org
Brave Breast Cancer Survivors Model In Swimsuits Created For Single-Breasted Women
Buzzfeed.com
These Fabulous Swimsuits Are Designed Specifically For Breast Cancer Survivors
Telecinco.es
Monokini 2.0, el bikini para mujeres que se han enfrentado a la mastectomía
Watch the full version of the video here:
Portraits
Model Katja Mäkilä, Design Mert Otsamo © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Milsse Tapojärvi, Design Katriina Haikala © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Solja Kvarnström, Design KaksiTvå © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Camilla Backman, Design Timo Rissanen, © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Kristiina Kiviluoma, Design Outi Pyy © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Elina Halttunen, Design Elina Halttunen © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Virve Kupiainen, Design Tyra Therman © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Reetta Isotupa, Design Vilma Riitijoki © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Marjaana Salo, Design Sasu Kauppi © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Model Sirpa Ikävalko, Design Katriina Haikala ja Vilma Metteri © Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Pinja Valja 2013
Catwalk show
“This has been a fantastically wonderful experience and I feel honoured to be a part of it. It has been a very healing project for me. I can help promote the idea that we are beautiful, even if a piece is missing,” says Milsse Tapojärvi, another model in the show and cancer survivor.
“I have a very long history of breast cancer that went on for many years. This is naturally a unique experience. It definitely requires a bit of courage,” says one of the models, Sirpa Ikävalko.
Exhibitions
