Diving woman : swimwear embroidered badge
Date1920-1940
Object number00031405
NameCloth Badge
MediumCotton
DimensionsOverall: 110 x 75 mm, 2 mm, 0.001 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Gary McPherson
DescriptionThis cotton cloth badge has been machine satin stitched in cotton floss. The badge depicts a woman wearing an early belted one piece swimsuit and swimming cap in a diving arc.HistoryMachine embroidered cloth badges were applied to swimwear from the 1920s. They were generally used by manufacturers to signify their brand, though costume motifs such as this one would have been bought separately and applied to the garment as decoration.SignificanceThe badge is a rare example of the costume motifs applied to garments during the first half of the 20th century. The image of the diving woman recalls Jantzen's red diving girl logo used from the 1920s on swimsuits, posters and other advertising media.
