Bras for a cause

By Y. Murad Erzinclioglu

A local fashion designer is giving back to the Windsor-Detroit community with custom-made brassieres.

Jill Thompson, 35, began constructing her original handcrafted bras about one year ago. Thompson’s mother, a breast cancer survivor, was participating in the International Dragon Boat Festival for the Cure with her team of fellow survivors “The Wonderbroads.” Thompson brought her creativity to the team, crafting a variety of bras that would adorn the group’s boat. Each bra was a unique wearable sculpture covered in found and reused objects. The response to the bras was so positive Thompson began constructing more to meet demand and created the brand Bras By Jillish. She also continued the charitable aspect of her work with a portion of sales from every bra going to a variety of non-profit organizations.

Thompson’s latest exhibition brought her bras to Detroit for The Heidelberg Project’s annual fall fundraiser. Thompson saw Detroit in its most recent struggles and wanted to give something back.

“Detroit, being one of my favourite cities in the whole world, I decided to do a fundraiser for them,” Thompson said. “I did an event called ‘We Love You Detroit’ and it was able to raise $500 which I donated to the Heidelberg Project. From there they invited me to be a part of their annual fundraiser auctioning off some of my bras.”

The donation could not have come at a better time for the organization, which represents the Heidelberg Street community in East Detroit. The Heidelberg Project is known for its reclamation and beautification of housing as well as a variety of creative community projects that engage youth. Over the past seven months the neighborhood has seen a rash of arsons which have destroyed several prominent art homes. The most recent arson took place the morning of their annual fundraiser.

Organizers did not let the news sour their gala event which featured local food, music and Thompson’s bras.  Jessica Kezlarian, 26, site and landscape designer for the Heidelberg Project, said fundraising efforts like Thompson’s are integral to their continued operation in the face of the recent fires.

“A lot of our funding comes from donations and grants, so aside from the grants, this is the big gain of donations,” said Kezlarian. “So long as the foundation exists, we’re going to rebuild, and that’s what we’ve always done.

Tyree Guyton, artist and founder of the Heidelberg Project, echoed Kezlarian’s statements in his address to the gala’s audience.

“As I stand here talking to you wonderful people out there, I want you to know that we won’t stop,” Guyton said. “Art can be medicine and over the last 27 years with the Heidelberg Project, we have changed the world. I need your support, I need your help and I need you to believe in the vision and purpose of this project.”

Thompson’s contribution to the event will aid in Guyton’s goals, raising over $600 for the organization through the auction of six bras.

For more information on Bras By Jillish visit www.facebook.com/brasbyjillish.

For more information about the Heidelberg Project visit www.heidelberg.org.