Material relating to knit-wear
Date1935-1938
Object numberANMS0461
NameArchive series
MediumPaper
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Dale O'Sullivan
DescriptionThis archive series numbered [001] - [055] consists of material relating to knitwear collected by designer Peter O'Sullivan. It includes three article, two guides, 31 magazine excerpts and 19 quizzes. They cover a range of subjects relating to knit-wear, such as mills, sales pitches, the San Francisco market, travel wear, the importance and advantages of wool, men's sweaters, promotions, fashion highlights, specialty yarns, moth-proofing, swimsuit designs and novelty styles, swimsuit distributers and Jantzen swim suits.HistoryPeter O'Sullivan became the first Australian to successfully design and manufacturer swimwear for export to the United States by creating two innovations. He won the world patent for the square belt buckle, known as the 'Superman' buckle, after it was incorporated into Superman's costume and he developed the small skirt across the front of both men's and women's swimsuits known as the 'modesty panel'.
O'Sullivan's 'modesty panel' became a feature of Australian and international swimwear fashions right up until the 1970s. His Black Lance swimwear range in the 1930s featured low cut backs, fashionable colours and decorative flourishes.SignificanceThis is a rare archival collection with excellent display potential relating to Melbourne based swimwear designer Peter O'Sullivan. The collection documents all aspects of knitted swimwear production from the development of designs, to the choice of models, manufacture and distribution of swimwear. The collection illustrates the European and American influences on O'Sullivan's designs, as well as his innovations of the modesty-skirt and 'Superman' buckle.
