Clothing Line Seeks To 'Put The Color Back' Into Breast Cancer Patients

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A breast cancer survivor disappointed with the lack of clothing geared toward women going through treatment took matters into her own hands and launched an apparel line.

As WCBS 880's Pat Farnack reported, Laurel Kamen exemplifies the saying that necessity is the mother of invention.

"I looked out there for any kind of fashion for women with breast cancer and I couldn't find any. And so I joined with my co-founder and my cousin who's a dress designer. We decided to put the color back into women's lives with beautiful, colorful, happy clothes," Kamen told Farnack.

The Alloro Collection features clothing and accessories tailored for women who've had breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

"If you have surgery, you cannot lift your arms for a very long time without a great deal of pain, so our clothes address that by front buttons. Often, there are snaps," said Kamen. "In the old days, people said 'well, you just have to wear a big man's shirt.' We felt we've designed sleeves that taper into a feminine look."

The line features tops and dresses made of breathable fabrics with jewel and cowl necklines that are shaped for comfort and attractiveness, Kamen said.

"I discovered that cancer just drains the color out of women's lives," Kamen told Farnack. "We try to choose colors that everybody can light up with and feel better."

Kamen, a former American Express executive, launched the brand with her longtime friend Christine Irvin, an artist and Wall Street veteran.

The Alloro Collection will be hosting a trunk show and sale at Boutique Off Broadway, located at 139 West 72nd Street on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The show will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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