A succession of cultural circles symbolising the need to unite as a country to overcome breast cancer, has landed Christchurch Business owner and graphic designer, Jayshri Ganda of Red Dot Design, a tee shirt design in the 2009 Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust T-shirt Campaign.A succession of cultural circles symbolising the need to unite as a country to overcome breast cancer, has landed Christchurch Business owner and graphic designer, Jayshri Ganda of Red Dot Design, a tee shirt design in the 2009 Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust T-shirt Campaign.The 27 year old was among almost 1000 people to enter the Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust Fashion Week competition. Although Jay's entry was not judged the overall competition winner, Glassons was so impressed with her design they have created a special category and made her recipient of the 'Glassons Choice Award'.

"Unfortunately there can be only one competition winner but we couldn't let Jayshri's design go unacknowledged and felt it really belonged right beside New Zealand's top designers in the 2009 campaign," says Glassons General Manager, Jamie Whiting.

"Jayshri's design was simple but represented a thought provoking message and a graphic that we believe will hold enormous appeal to women around the country."

Each year, Glassons brings the country's top fashion designers together to create a range of t-shirts to be sold through Glassons outlets nationwide.

High profile names such as Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, Kate Sylvester and Zambesi support the campaign each year, with $10 from each t-shirt sale going to the Breast Cancer Research Trust.

"I am so excited", says Jayshri. "I've followed the campaign throughout the years and have always wanted to design a tee myself so when I heard that Glassons was once again giving members of the public the chance to enter a design, I wasted no time in submitting my entry. My best friend Stacey Tipa's mum also suffered from breast cancer and I believe more awareness amongst more individuals can help us cure"

This year, the competition entrants were asked to design a tee that represented the campaign theme, 'THINKCURE'.

Jayshri's design, featuring a series of interlinking circles to symbolise breasts, was in the shape of a map of New Zealand. The circles are in a variety of fabrics and patterns each representing a different culture.

"While I was born in New Zealand, my family heritage is Indian. I really wanted to introduce the cultural aspect to my design and convey that anyone of any culture in New Zealand can get breast cancer," explains Jay. "To be successful in overcoming breast cancer and finding a cure, we need to unite our multicultural society and be there for one another."

Jayshri's message to everyone is "come together, care together, love together and we can cure together"

Jay's design will showcase in Glasson stores nationwide in January 2009.

The Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust t-shirt campaign is now entering its 7th year, and has involved some of New Zealand's, and the world's, top designers and celebrities.

During that time it has become a highlight in a Kiwi fashionista's diary - with hundreds of thousands of women proudly buying and wearing the t-shirts in support of the cause.

More importantly, the campaign has already raised more than $3 million for The Breast Cancer Research Trust who aims to discover a cure for breast cancer in the next 10 years.

14/01/09