#MAKEITHAPPEN
Rebecca Russell, Contributing Fashion Editor at C MagazineLearning you have breast cancer and being confronted with your own mortality is shocking and frightening at any age. Getting diagnosed with it in your early 30s? Unimaginable. But that was and is the reality for Rebecca Russell, who, at just 31, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The current contributing fashion editor at C Magazine is vulnerable, open, and honest as she chats with us on how she felt about her diagnosis and the resilience she's gained along the way. We're in awe of her positivity and strength... and how she's continued to stay true to herself.
Rebecca Russell in the Scuba schoolboy dickey jacket and zip-back Scuba pant
My Hustle
Fashion editor and stylist
Living in London and studying photography led me to an interest in fashion photography. I remember going to the exhibition, Face of Fashion, at The National Portrait Gallery in 2007—I knew then the path I wanted to take.
Pilates or a stroll around Venice, California, with my pup.
Talk to my husband, Zac—he always levels me out.
Breast cancer diagnosis at age 31, which I turned into as much of a positive experience as possible. Perspective is important and optimism has always been my guard, so I used the time to grow, bond, and learn.
My Cancer Journey
On being diagnosed at such a young age…
I feel angry about this and how it’s dictated the rest of my 30s and what I had planned.
What I wish I knew then that I know now…
That treatment isn’t just a few months of fertility preservation, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy—it’s also many years of hormone therapy and years of PTSD.
On resilience…
I felt surprised by my resilience but, honestly, you don’t really have a choice. I treated it like a new project.
On transformation…
Pleased that I am the person I am today and have learned all I have.
Advice to share for women going through it…
Talk, share, reach out, and ask questions. It does get easier!!!
Rebecca Russell in the Scuba schoolboy dickey jacket and zip-back Scuba pant
how i make it happen
Pilates, coffee, and a walk—it's time for myself before I start work.
1. Bathe in CBD salts when stressed.
2. Have time for yourself, by yourself, every day.
3. Be compassionate—everyone is struggling with something.
Have tenacity, boldness, and take deep breaths.
My selection of favorite jewelry, which I rock daily.
Trust your instincts.
my style
Dry-clean your favorite items, even if the tag reads "machine wash"—they will last longer.
Statement jackets. I bought a Burberry Prorsum leather silver biker jacket from a sample sale when I worked there in 2013 and I am still obsessed with it today.
Be comfortable! If you feel uncomfortable, you look uncomfortable.
Elegant and elevated.
my recharge
Nutrafol, which brought back my loss of hair during chemo. Never did I think I would have hair down to my breasts two years after finishing chemotherapy.
Spend the weekend at home with Zac and my pup.
Vegan spaghetti bolognese!
Can’t say one—there are too many. But the breast cancer survivors who helped me get through my diagnosis and treatments have been amazing.
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