On Saturday (01/09/07) Radio national’s “By Design” program included a piece on women’s swimwear and Annette Kellerman, known as the “Original Mermaid” gained a mention. The Australian born athlete believed in health and fitness through swimming and throughout her early twentieth century career pioneered women’s right to do so. At that time women at the beach either sat on the shore or were expected to bathe in their dresses and pantaloons. (It is said that some drowned under the weight of their clothing). Annette Kellerman designed and wore a swimsuit (not unlike the men’s swimwear of the time) which importantly allowed for freedom of movement in the water. Famously, in 1907 in Boston she was arrested for indecent exposure i.e. she revealed her arms legs and neck.
RELEVANT ITEMS AT WSRC:
Fashion by Jane Grove, 1971
Female costume in the nineteenth century by Marion Fletcher, 1966
-Jo
