10 trends that changed swim
From daring cut-outs to vintage 50s styling and futuristic metallics, here's our top 10 trends to influence swimwear over the last decade.
-
Rosa Chá: Brazil's leading luxury swimwear brand, 07/08/03Rosa Chá
With a never ending stream of desirable high fashion, high style bikinis and swimsuits, Brazilian swimwear brand Rosa Chá's collections and catwalk shows in São Paulo and New York have been consistently strong over the last 10 years. WGSN salutes this innovative Brazilian brand.
-
Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld continued to highlight the importance of swimwear in his cruise collection for Chanel spring/summer 2009, offering an exciting range of luxury looks. The fashion house remains a strong inspiration and force behind high-end swimwear.
-
Intimates trend: metallics 10.12.07High-shine metallics
The metallic swimsuit of the 80s has evolved into the ultimate glamour piece, with advancements in molten, wet-look, ciré and waxy finishes on Lycra, creating that slick, second-skin suit for poolside magnetism.
-
50s influence
Pinpointed as the most influential era on swim and beachwear design in the last decade, the 1950s have offered a rich source of shape, styling and printed concepts seen filtering into many collections.
-
The cut-out swimsuit
British designer Stella McCartney showed the cut-out swimsuit as a key item in spring/summer 2002, with a brash, in-your-face slogan for maximum exposure. Following this the cut-out resurgence has been included in many global swim collections and has been a staple shape inspiration for brands showcasing the one-piece in the last decade.
-
Cruise: Beckham-style
When this exclusive shot of Beckham hit the press, it made it ok to wear Lycra brief-cut trunks again. This trunk shape often referred to as the "Speedo", thanks to the British company, has reemerged as a cool alternative to surf style for men.
-
St-Tropez street: beachwear 07/07/08Saint-Tropez
The beautiful and the rich continue to show off stylish and decadent swimwear along the shores of Saint-Tropez. Inspiring the look of the sun-kissed millionaire for decades, the French beach town has reclaimed the crown as kingpin for resort glamour.
-
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2009Miami Swim Week
An important date in the swimwear calendar, Miami Swim Week has become the place to spot the latest swim trends and emerging brands. A fabulous source for inspiration in itself, The Raleigh Hotel has been the key destination for swim events held in 2008.
-
Ad campaigns analysed spring/summer 2003Gisele
The Brazilian supermodel, famous for her health, beauty and perfect figure, has been the face (and body) of many swim brands – the most memorable being the Missoni spring/summer 2008 collection.
-
Luella for O'Neill: Fashion-conscious surfwear
Previously fashion has taken inspiration from surf wear, but with collaborations like Luella for O'Neill influencing the industry, surfwear is becoming far more fashion-conscious.
