July 23, 1997


Sudbury artist goes 'topless'

By LISA GERVAIS/Star Staff Writer

Customers of One Hundred Deep Breasts can thank Sudbury's Stephanie Skilling for the mammaries.

The 30-year-old artist/entrepreneur is selling T-shirts and bumper stickers that bare the slogan Ontario Yours to Uncover under a pair of stylized breasts.

"My basic idea was if women could go topless then you could actually have breasts on your shirts," said Skilling in an interview at her Sudbury home on Tuesday.

"If you weren't ready to go topless or even if you were ready (to go topless), you could actually be topless, in a matter of speaking, in some way, all the time," she said.

"It seemed really funny to me initially." So, Skilling and photographer friend Rachelle Bergeron, who were both "loving the idea," came up with a concept.

Local designer Greg Duval put it all together. And, former Rocks owner Brad Miron also lent a consultant's hand.

The two unveiled the T-shirts by wearing them at Northern Lights Festival Boreal.

"And people were interested in them and the response was so positive" that a business venture seemed a logical next step.

Skilling started One Hundred Deep Breasts. So far, Skilling figures she's sold about 150 T-shirts but media requests for interviews are starting to pour in so she hopes sales will pick up.

Right now only Records on Wheels on Elm Street sells the shirts and Skilling is looking for more outlets.

She also sells the merchandise out of her home (1-888-487-5827) and on the street.


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