| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
Since the dawn of time, humans have always gone swimming in the nude, or maybe in loin cloths. It was not until the 18th century that swimsuits were invented. Mostly for the purpose of hiding the (female) human body according to the morality of the times. By the mid 1800's, a trip to the beach and swimming became a popular recreation. A need for a special costume that retained modesty but was free enough to enable the wearer to engage in sports became obvious. |
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
On 24 August 1905, aged 18, Annette Kellerman became the first woman to attempt to swim the English Channel (pictured right) In 1907, at the height of her popularity, Kellerman was arrested on a Boston beach for indecency - she was wearing one of her fitted one-piece swimsuits. At the turn of the century, the swimsuit begins to become more practical...and provocative. The first major development after the turn of the century is the elimination of the bloomers. By 1905,the bathing dress has neither bloomers nor sleeves. The fashion developing will set trends for decades to come and resonate with Kellerman's exploits. |
|
 |
The roaring 20’s brought out all of Hollywood's stars, which added glamour to the swimsuit. Bathers needed to have one in the latest fashion. Esther Williams and Dorothy Lamour along with films featuring synchronised swimming stirred up interest in the figure hugging costumes. |
 |
In 1943 as part of wartime
rationing, the U.S. Government ordered a 10 % reduction
in fabric used in woman's swimwear. The skirt panel was
removed, and out came the bare midriff. At beaches across
the country, men paid special attention to women doing
their patriotic duty. |
 |
 |
| Women in Paris were wearing bikini style swimsuits one year before the
bikini was "invented". This fact is documented
with pictures in the July 16, 1945 issue of Life Magazine.. |
|
 |
|
 |
The "official"
version has the bikini invented by 2 French fashion designers,
Louis Réard and Jacques Heim in Paris in 1946. Réard's bikini was introduced a few days after the nuclear explosions at Bikini Atoll, a tiny coral island in the Marshall Islands. The thought being its introduction would have the same explosive effect. In fact, Reard and Heim merely reinvented a fashion that had been found, dating back to 1600 B.C. The modern version was merely patented by Louis Reard in 1946. When the bikini was first introduced in 1946, the fashion models of Paris refused to wear it, claiming it scandalous and indecent. It was Micheline Bernardini who paraded onto a runway at a poolside fashion show in Paris. She was a nude dancer hired by Réard. |
|
|
