Cover Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
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In a world where women's bodies are constantly policed, Carla Regin introduces a product that allows women freedom of expression
The modern woman loves to express herself through style; and in a world where the female form is often looked upon with either lust or disgust, this very notion comes across as rebellious. Carla Regin, the CEO and founder of Barebone is among those encouraging others to embrace themselves fearlessly and without shame. Her brand, which offers users "non-traditional undergarments" has become an easy favourite among fashionistas. But her range of nipple covers isn't merely sartorial in nature—it's also political.
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"Views on breasts have shifted dramatically over the past years," Regin comments. "There’s a big stigma surrounding our bodies specifically breasts but the effort to push back against these social norms is increasing every day. I think these advocacies to desexualize women’s body parts should not be something to be ashamed of or something to hide away. [There's also more acceptance of public] breastfeeding and less shaming of women going braless. This progress shows how far we’ve come in our attitude towards female bodies."
In the Philippines, where conservative ideals reign supreme, clothing items such as nipple covers—and the revealing clothes and dresses that might call for these—might be something to shy away from. But the choice to avoid them is often made with others in mind. It's not a matter of "do I like what I'm wearing?"; oftentimes, it becomes a question of "what will others think of what I'm wearing?". This viewpoint puts an unfair constraint on Filipinas everywhere; and so Regin's product becomes something that allows a woman to wear her chosen ensemble freely and without fear of faux pas. "It’s an incredible feeling to free yourself from expectations and let go of the insecurities that keep you from wearing what you truly desire," she shares. "Wear what you want is to embrace your body proudly."
Regin has been known to disavow the bra herself. It was an uncomfortable feeling for her to wear one, and had made her self-conscious in her younger years. "I hit puberty very early, and I started wearing a bra at a very young age. I became very conscious because I had to wear something under my shirt, and my classmates didn’t, instead of just thinking of playing outside and doing homework. I had nobody that guided me through this so I worried about how I could hide these changes Instead of learning to embrace them and understand that it’s normal what I’m going through."
Now, four years after she'd decided to abandon bras, Regin has become an outspoken supporter for the movement. Needless to say, this choice wasn't based on comfort alone. "There are many health advantages [to going braless]. It reduces the pain and discomfort especially in areas such as your back, shoulders and neck," she shares. "Wearing a bra all day can also cause breasts to be misshapen over time, especially if you’re wearing the wrong type or size of bra, so ditching it can help promote healthier breast shape in the long-term. When it comes to fashion, going braless allows for much variety of clothing styles. Ultimately, it’s about empowerment. It can make women feel comfortable and liberated from the pressure placed on them by society, as well as free them from the restrictions of traditional clothing."
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Since starting her business, Regin has also been able to turn her proudly Filipino brand into one that caters to international clientele. "We first focused on diversifying our products and improving their quality. We strengthened our customer service to nourish a good relationship between our brand and our customers, then created a great fulfillment service team. Customer satisfaction is our priority and the key to our marketing strategy."
Though Regin remains a staunch supporter of the braless movement, she remains unalienated towards the true meaning of freedom: choice. When asked whether she equated bras with the feeling of restraint, she answers with a strong "no". "I believe that everyone has the right to make their own choices, including how they express themselves and the choices they make on what to wear. Regardless of their size and gender, everyone has the freedom to choose whether whatever they wear—bra or not—without judgment or fear of being ridiculed.
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