Author's Corner: Jene Luciani
Jene Luciani is a girl's breast friend. As the author of The Bra Book, Jene takes readers on the herstory of the bra, how to find a bra that fits you and how a bra can make – or totally break—an outfit. Jene spoke with Celebrity Parents Magazine about her book, her yummy daughter Gigi, and (what else), boobs.
Photography: Gabbeli Photography
What is your background?
I started in television news as a producer for an NBC station. I was working crazy hours, and I started getting tired of the news topics. It became very depressing. So I began to work for a production company that covered fashion and beauty topics. I covered Fashion Week in NY and Paris, and I loved it.
After awhile, I started writing for The Wag, which was like the society pages in the area I was living in. I wrote a piece on foundation garments, and I told my editor that I could write an entire book on bras. She told me to go for it, and I did.
And then came The Bra Book. What has been the response?
It’s been amazing. The fashion industry and the bra industry really loved it.
Isn’t it true that if you’re not wearing a good bra, it will throw off your whole outfit?
Yes, that’s true. I’ve had fashion designers say that their clothes don’t look good if you’re not wearing the right bra underneath. Nothing can make or break an outfit more than a bra can. A good, well-fitting bra can make you feel great. If you feel that your breasts look good, then you will feel good.
I heard that about 85% of women are in the wrong size bra. Was that true for you?
Absolutely. When I was writing the book, I met with a national fit expert at Neiman Marcus. Like all women, I was in the wrong size. She fitted me, both the cup and back sizes. I went to work the next day and a woman asked me, “Did you lose weight?” I said, “No, I’m just wearing the right bra!” [laughs] It’s amazing how a bra can make that much difference.
I like how the book is mixed with good information and lots of illustrations. Plus, it’s pink and pretty.
[laughs] People would ask me, “Is there really that much to know about bras?” But 220 pages later, yes, there is so much to know. I didn’t want to leave anything out.
You are also quite candid in the book about your own personal story.
In the book I share my stories of my breast reconstructions. Prior to the surgeries, I felt deformed. It puts you in a vulnerable spot to share a story that had been a secret for so long. Even having plastic surgery, there was still a stigma. As women, we identify with our breasts. I felt like I wasn’t like every other woman. To share my story was closure for me, and very freeing.
How often should women get fitted?
About every six months. As women, our bodies change so much. Hormones affect our boobs. When I was pregnant with my daughter, Gigi, my cup size went up two sizes. Plus, bras stretch, so it’s good to always get refitted.
Okay, now can you tell if someone is wearing the wrong size bra?
Definitely. Women get very self-conscious around me! They think that I’m looking at their breasts all the time. I don’t do it unless they ask me to! [laughs] Even though I consider myself a bra expert, I always make the point that I’m a journalist first. I am not a person who has been fitting bras for 20 years. Women should educate themselves and utilize the help of the sales people. And women should remember that just because they’re a 34B, for example, doesn’t mean that they’re a 34B in every bra. Different brands use different fit models; no woman is the perfect size anything.
With your book, you’re doing great things for boobs everywhere.
[laughs] I have always wanted to help other people, in one way or another. When I worked in TV news, I would tell myself that I was helping people by updating them on the news. And when I was fashion, I would give people fashion advice. I feel like I’m helping people feel good about themselves, and that makes me feel great.
How do you find your balance between your career and baby Gigi?
I started in television news as a producer for an NBC station. I was working crazy hours, and I started getting tired of the news topics. It became very depressing. So I began to work for a production company that covered fashion and beauty topics. I covered Fashion Week in NY and Paris, and I loved it.
After awhile, I started writing for The Wag, which was like the society pages in the area I was living in. I wrote a piece on foundation garments, and I told my editor that I could write an entire book on bras. She told me to go for it, and I did.
It’s been amazing. The fashion industry and the bra industry really loved it.
Isn’t it true that if you’re not wearing a good bra, it will throw off your whole outfit?
Yes, that’s true. I’ve had fashion designers say that their clothes don’t look good if you’re not wearing the right bra underneath. Nothing can make or break an outfit more than a bra can. A good, well-fitting bra can make you feel great. If you feel that your breasts look good, then you will feel good.
I heard that about 85% of women are in the wrong size bra. Was that true for you?
Absolutely. When I was writing the book, I met with a national fit expert at Neiman Marcus. Like all women, I was in the wrong size. She fitted me, both the cup and back sizes. I went to work the next day and a woman asked me, “Did you lose weight?” I said, “No, I’m just wearing the right bra!” [laughs] It’s amazing how a bra can make that much difference.
I like how the book is mixed with good information and lots of illustrations. Plus, it’s pink and pretty.
[laughs] People would ask me, “Is there really that much to know about bras?” But 220 pages later, yes, there is so much to know. I didn’t want to leave anything out.
In the book I share my stories of my breast reconstructions. Prior to the surgeries, I felt deformed. It puts you in a vulnerable spot to share a story that had been a secret for so long. Even having plastic surgery, there was still a stigma. As women, we identify with our breasts. I felt like I wasn’t like every other woman. To share my story was closure for me, and very freeing.
How often should women get fitted?
About every six months. As women, our bodies change so much. Hormones affect our boobs. When I was pregnant with my daughter, Gigi, my cup size went up two sizes. Plus, bras stretch, so it’s good to always get refitted.
Okay, now can you tell if someone is wearing the wrong size bra?
Definitely. Women get very self-conscious around me! They think that I’m looking at their breasts all the time. I don’t do it unless they ask me to! [laughs] Even though I consider myself a bra expert, I always make the point that I’m a journalist first. I am not a person who has been fitting bras for 20 years. Women should educate themselves and utilize the help of the sales people. And women should remember that just because they’re a 34B, for example, doesn’t mean that they’re a 34B in every bra. Different brands use different fit models; no woman is the perfect size anything.
With your book, you’re doing great things for boobs everywhere.
[laughs] I have always wanted to help other people, in one way or another. When I worked in TV news, I would tell myself that I was helping people by updating them on the news. And when I was fashion, I would give people fashion advice. I feel like I’m helping people feel good about themselves, and that makes me feel great.
Gigi is a great baby, but it can definitely be challenging. I do need help, but I like to prove that I can do it all. I take her with me everywhere; I’ve even taken her to business meetings with me. In the end, everything that I’m doing is for her. I love her, and I want her to be proud of me.
Special thanks to Bloomingdale's White Plains. Hair/makeup: Yiyi Gonzales, The Salon.
For more info on Jene and The Bra Book, please go to www.jeneluciani.com.
Beautiful pictures and interview!!
Posted by: Michell Reyes | May 19, 2010 at 10:44 AM