Women's brown Eastern Textiles swimsuit

Maker Eastern Textiles

Designer Joan Amy

Date1960s

Object number00016875

NameSwimsuit

MediumHelanca

DimensionsOverall: 0.15 kg
Clothing size: 34

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Joan Amy

Terms

DescriptionThis brown one piece swimsuit has a panelled princess-line bodice, a scooped neckline, a low scooped back, and a half skirt for modesty. Designed by Joan Amy for Eastern Textiles, the swimsuit offered support and shape with an asymmetrical panel design and nylon mesh bra cups. The right bodice seam is accentuated with decorative white piping. HistoryIn the 1950s and early 1960s swimsuits and sunsuits were often shaped with panelling and built-in supports to create a curvaceous, ultra-feminine silhouette emphasising the bust, waistline and hips. As the 1960s progressed swimsuits became less structured and designs became more focused on comfort. New synthetic fabrics that were quick drying and stretched to hug the figure, provided a more self supporting garment than the heavier woollen suits of previous decades. One of these new fabric inventions was called Helanca. Helanca, first patented and produced in 1931, was the first 'stretch' fabric. Produced by spinning artificial silk fibres into a springy spiral and then weaving it back into knitted wool, the fabric was widely used by swimwear manufacturers around the world.SignificanceThis Australian made swimsuit is representative of swimwear fashions designed by Joan Amy during the 1960s.