Hotel Bondi Swim HB-049 'Palominos' Community Garden collection bikini

Maker Hotel Bondi Swim (Australian)

Date2008

Object numberV00046053

NameSwimsuit

MediumNylon, elastane (spandex or Lycra)

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Hotel Bondi

Terms

DescriptionHotel Bondi Swim produced this 'Palominos' bikini as part of their 2008 'Community Garden' collection. Using a yellow, black, brown and white fabric print of racehorses, the bikini has a padded bust, decorative bow and a gold clasp that reads 'HOTeL BONDi'. Hotel Bondi Swim designers Fern Levack and Damion Fuller take inspiration from Australia's relaxed beach culture and specifically the Sydney suburb of Bondi. Their label has become a popular swimwear brand in Australia and overseas since it was launched in early 2008.HistoryFern Levack and Damion Fuller founded Hotel Bondi Swim in 2008. Their Australian made swimwear uses textile prints designed specifically in Bondi, Sydney, Australia. Both designers strongly believe in celebrating the local, eclectic, laid-back Bondi lifestyle. They say, '. . . bikinis are simply the best canvasses for the type of art we like to create . . . every print and every bikini that is created by Hotel Bondi Swim is made especially to express the personality of this colourful and beautifully Australian backyard'. Both Levack and Fuller have a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles from the University of Technology Sydney. Levack started out in the fashion industry with Collette Dinnigan before founding the streetwear label Kitten and Fuller worked as a senior designer for Mambo. Examples of the couple's designs are held in the permanent collections of the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and Union Francaise des Arts du Costume and Musee du Louvre in Paris. Levack and Fuller believe that in the wake of globalisation and the cold interface of technology, people are craving the authenticity of the human touch and a personal dialogue with like-minded passionate people. They define their brand as part of 'The New Luxury Movement,' which is all about original artwork, exclusivity, high quality workmanship and the sheer gloriousness of the materials and details. They are passionate ambassadors of the Bondi lifestyle and Hotel Bondi Swim's bikinis express this authentic, creative, village attitude of one-street-back-Bondi. From the 19th century Australians wore homemade bathing costumes based on overseas pattern books, or ready-made mail order swimwear. Retailers soon provided the latest fashions from British and American companies. By the 1930s swimwear was being mass produced by local knitting mills with brand names that reflected the Australian lifestyle- Challenge Racer, Sunkist, Penguin, Golden Fleece, Kookaburra, Top Dog, Seagull and Speedo. Australia's relaxed attitude to fashion has enabled swimwear and beachwear to become a focus of the Australian fashion industry. Innovative local brands have gained international recognition. Australian designers blend high-end fashion and performance swimwear with a leisure market that demands the latest fabrics, colours and styles. In the early 20th century most swimsuits were produced in wool, in part due to its ability to reveal less of the body when wet. There was early experimentation with developing rib-like knits that were more elastic, followed by the use of Lastex, a rubber yarn that created a garment with less sag and drag. In the 21st century, advances in textile technology have resulted in the development of wool jersey fabrics with a high compression Lycra component. Contemporary swimsuit design has a more functional purpose in mind with its use of fabric but incorporates bold patterns, innovative silhouettes and eye-catching prints in the design. Wool was the most elastic fabric available until the invention of synthetic fibres in 1938. Rib knit technology gave woollen swimming costumes their stretch - the knit stitch provided strength and the purl stitch stretch. The tight rib knit used for jumper cuffs was first used for men's rowing suits in 1913. The elasticity of these woollen rowing suits was the inspiration for the male swimsuit. The growing popularity of swimming inspired new fashions, manufacturing techniques and fabric technologies. The linear stretch of elastic enabled manufacturers to mass-produce figure hugging fabrics that provided greater movement and improved swimming performance.SignificanceThis bikini is representative of Australian swimwear label Hotel Bondi Swim's 2008 collection and demonstrates their use of unique prints in their swimsuit designs.