Noelia Morales

Grand Prix du jury Accessoires de mode Swarovski 2019

In 2016, like many women, I underwent a mastectomy following a cancer. Despite pressure, I decided to not undergo reconstruction after the mastectomy, but to adapt to this new appearance. Am I hiding ? Have I become a fighter ?
It was at this time that I developed my first collection of lingerie. Asymmetrical bras which highlight this absence and celebrate it with enthusiasm and humour. The patch alludes to a pirate’s eye-patch, those rebel, seductive, and mischievous characters, as was my muse, Anna Bonny, a beautiful and courageous female pirate who was captured and condemned to death. She disappeared the night before her execution. I like to imagine that she reappeared, but instead of missing an eye, she was now missing a breast.

The 2020 collection, which I was fortunate enough to produce in partnership with CHANEL’s Métiers d’art, developed this initial idea. It pays homage to Claire O’Keefe, who encouraged me in this process; I first met her when we were both finalists in the Hyères competition.
I have designed six pieces that have been created by the leather goods maker Ateliers de Verneuil-en-Halatte, the embroiderer Lemarié, Montex and the milliner Maison Michel. This asymmetric design can be found once again in lingerie, but also in a belt-corset, a necklace, a headband, and in accessories.