WHAT? Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style 

WHERE? The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG

WHEN? Now until 17th August 

WHY GO? To duck and dive into design. Thank modern textile technology for saving us from sinking under the weight of a knitted swimsuit today: they were called costumes back then. 

Jantzen’s original 1930’s woollen costume is long gone, as the advent of swimsuits like Pamela Anderson’s red Baywatch ‘cossie’ illustrates.  Both are centre stage in this racy exhibition that charts the progress of swimming in style, and just as importantly, the influence it has on our well being. 

It touches briefly on the architecture of those glorious Art Deco Lidos but highlights Zaha Hadid’s groundbreaking  2012 London Aquatics Centre which will forever go down in history as an architectural feat of modern design.

This style led exhibition, guest curated by fashion historian Amber Butchart, succinctly summarises a century of swimwear with dozens of quirky exhibits, from risqué mens budgie smugglers to the infamous topless monokini and of course, the first ever bikini which was curiously named after the Bikini Atoll in 1946.

Mythical mermaids pop up in stills from the original 1948 film Miranda alongside current film clips that extoll the delights of synchronised teamwork and our insatiable desire for outdoor swimming in all sorts of weather.

Dip a toe in this watery exhibition which joyfully sets the scene for seaside holidays and encourages us to appreciate how much we love and respect our open waters.   

IN THE KNOW Margate, during the 1920’s, was one of the first British resorts to promote sea bathing as a health cure and rented out knitted costumes with their Margate Corporation logo emblazoned across the front. 

Early pioneers of the current trend for renting fashion!