Seventeen historic swimwear pieces from Southend Museums will feature in the Design Museum’s “Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style” exhibition, starting March 28. This exhibition highlights 100 years of swimwear history, showcasing significant artifacts alongside prominent swimming memorabilia.
Seventeen pieces of historic swimwear from Southend Museums will be showcased at the Design Museum’s “Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style” exhibition, starting March 28. The exhibition covers 100 years of swimwear evolution, from early 20th-century lidos to contemporary styles.
Since May 2024, Southend Museums staff collaborated with the Design Museum to select and prepare these artefacts for display. The Southend collection features unique items, such as 1920s woollen swimsuits, a 1960s Bri-Nylon swimsuit by Olympic champion Judy Grinham, and 1980s leopard-print Speedo trunks.
Councillor Matt Dent expressed pride in the swimwear collection, highlighting its importance to Southend’s seaside heritage and cultural identity. He noted the exhibition’s significance in showcasing the innovative history of swimwear on a national platform.
The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to view Southend’s historic swimwear, emphasising the region’s cultural significance. It traces over a century’s evolution of swimwear, reflecting changes in leisure and societal attitudes.
Original Source: www.echo-news.co.uk