Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim has come and gone like a rip current on South Beach. The steamy & sexy weekend was jam packed with trade shows, pop-ups, designer meetings and of course the fabulous fashion shows. Before I post about my experience at #MBFWSwim, I’d love to share with my readers some post-event coverage from a fantastic afternoon soiree that paid homage to the evolution of swimwear.
XTRA LIFE LYCRA Brand and Jantzen Swimwear Showcase Unique Archival Exhibit and Looks from 1915 to Today
Two of the most influential brands in modern swimwear, XTRA LIFE LYCRA® Brand and Jantzen® swimwear, presented The History of Swim, an inspirational exhibit of 24 archival images of swimwear from 1915–2013 which took place at The Raleigh Hotel’s Pool Deck on Sunday afternoon as part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim (July 18-22). Guests cooled off with refreshing cocktails and light bites while taking in the one-of-a-kind exhibit of photos, illustrations and ads showcasing swimwear from the past century. Linking past and present, models wore colorful looks from Jantzen’s current collection, all made with XTRA LIFE LYCRA® fiber.
Drawing from the Jantzen archives, The History of Swim, traced the company’s rise as one of the industry’s most celebrated brands. Jantzen was an early adopter of synthetics to define the bust line and to provide better “give” to the suit, but it was the commercialization of LYCRA® fiber in 1962 that would truly revolutionize swimwear design.
Right from the start, LYCRA® fiber did what no other fiber could:
- It defined the indefinable qualities of fashion with form and allowed garments to be made differently, to show and shape the body in new ways.
- It replaced thick and heavy swimsuits with light, quick-drying possibilities.
- Jantzen swimwear’s first design to use LYCRA® fiber —the “No-suit,” debuted its two-way stretch style with the iconic slogan, “Just Wear a Smile and Jantzen, in 1962.” It was a revolutionary breakthrough in not just in swim but for the entire fashion industry, paving the way for modern products we enjoy today.
- Throughout the decades, LYCRA® brand has evolved as well, with new innovations that offer resistance to elements, shapelier fit and more comfort.
The exhibit was fittingly hosted at The Raleigh, a historic hotel made famous by the glamorous Esther Williams, who often wore Jantzen swimsuits in her performances and photo shoots.
“The Raleigh offers a perfect backdrop for our swimwear retrospective as well as the new collections featuring XTRA LIFE LYCRA® fiber,” said Elana Page, Marketing Manager, Swim at INVISTA. “This durable material stands up to environmental stressors that cause fit loss and fabric breakdown.”
Check out the photo gallery below for a sneak peek into the event ~ xo ~
Photo Credit: CANDUN Productions
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