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The Evolution of Swimwear - An Exhibition: Posted 1st May 2008; From the launch in 1928 of the Speedo Racerback, the world's first non-wool swimsuit and classic swimsuits worn by stars of the silver screen to the fastest swimsuit in the world - the Speedo LZR RACER® - this exhibition examined for the first time the influence of Speedo swimwear culturally and socially over the last 80 years.

Decade by decade "The Evolution of Swimwear - An Exhibition" explored the relationship between swimwear and the liberation of women; fashion and its influence on swimming attire, the emergence of Speedo as a global brand and the brand's pioneering technological advances in swimwear. Swimming's biggest stars were celebrated, from the first Speedo sponsored athlete Arne Borg, to Michael Phelps - 6 time Olympic champion.

For the first time members of the public were able to see and touch the world's fastest swimsuit, the Speedo LZR RACER. Swimmers wearing it have broken 37 world records since its launch in February 2008. Its predecessors; S2000 Aquablade, Fastskin, FSII and FSPRO were also on display alongside Olympic team suits from the Athens and Sydney Olympic Games.

Documenting Speedo's brushes with controversy over the years, the exhibition threw open the archives which include how at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games Speedo athlete Claire Dennis was accused of 'showing too much shoulder' and how the explosive launch of the men's classic 'Speedo' brief in 1961 saw fans of the cutting edge style arrested on Australian beaches!

Exhibits were also drawn from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida, USA (ISHOF) which revealed swimsuits from the Victorian era made of wool and an actual Olympic gold medal from 1928, the year Speedo was born. A swimsuit worn by Hollywood legend Esther Williams, and a rare 'Flash Gordon' poster featuring film star and swimmer Buster Crabbe were amongst the many artefacts.

"Interactive" water babies tried their hand at crafting their own swimsuit design in the children's area of the exhibition. Their design legacy was mounted into a frame on the collage wall for the duration of the show and will now move to a permanent display at Speedo's global HQ in Nottingham.

The exhibition's curator, Mike Chavez-Dawson, said "As an interdisciplinary artist and curator, I have been astounded by the forward thinking, adaptability and technical
innovation that Speedo has ensued since its inception. Speedo over the decades has become synonymous with swim and beach wear and their colourful history has seen them time and time again to be world class innovators who have embraced their controversy."

David Robinson, Speedo, co-President said, "We are very excited about hosting this exhibition particularly at the same time as such a pertinent event in the swimming calendar, the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). It's not only a great opportunity for us to tell the Speedo story but for people to learn about the social and cultural effects the brand and swimwear has had on society."

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