A guide to the Speedo swimwear and swimsuit range

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The Speedo brand is synonymous with quality and achievement in the fields of water sports and competitive swimming. But the world renowned brand produces a contemporary, striking swimsuit and swimwear range for the athletic and the simply athletic at heart.

Founded in 1914, the demand for swimwear in the decades which followed ensured Speedo’s success. As attitudes to public bathing relaxed and swimming was realized as a competitive sport, the sky was the limit for the young company.

The iconic Speedo swimsuit, the ‘Racerback,’ was introduced in 1928. Freeing swimmers arms, hugging the body and providing speed through the water made the Racerback influential in subsequent years of swimsuit design. The first Speedo-clad swimmer won Olympic gold in Los Angeles in 1932, and 68 years later in Sydney 83 percent of medal winning swimmers wore Speedo swimsuits. In 1998 the company introduced the full body racing suit which has now revolutionized competitive swimming.

Today the brand’s success is just as widespread away from the pool. Speedo’s men’s brief is popular worldwide; so infamous that this style of swimsuit is widely dubbed the ‘Speedo’. The company does spare a thought for the non-Olympians among us, combining performance with fashion for swimsuits worn in more leisurely pursuits.

Recent collections have included men’s swimming shorts, modern one pieces and triangle bikinis. Red, white and blue is a theme through one collection, which echoes the strong ties Speedo swimsuits have with American sport. Another is a salute to the company’s early 20th century heritage with boy leg bikinis, belted trunks, and the famous leisure brief. Support and comfort are combined with fashion. Some Speedo swimsuits last 40 times longer in chlorinated water than conventional swimwear, and support the body while allowing freedom of movement.

In 2003 Speedo teamed up with cutting edge swimwear designer Melissa Odabash to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Racerback suit. Her designs for women incorporated studded leather, crystals, precious stones, and hand embroidery – hardly what you’d expect to find soaked in chlorine.

A recent collection was created by Brazilian born Amir Slama, owner of swimwear label Rosa Cha. Slama’s vibrant designs are inspired by his homeland and include hot pinks, asymmetrical straps, floral prints and names like the Boom Boom Bikini.

Strong ties to sport remain at Speedo with the company supporting the American water polo team, Olympians Michael Phelps, Grant Hackett and Natalie du Toit, and Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist Kerri Walsh among others.

With a range that seamlessly merges sport, sexiness, tradition and fun, the big company with the little swimsuits looks like it’s got a long way to go.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Speedo Swimwear

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