'Please Save Me'
Tamara Hall and Carol J. Salusso
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2020 USA
Swimwear for lifeguards must balance among visual appeal for wearer, communication that lifeguards are safety personnel, and functionally effectiveness during rigorous swimming. As a practicing lifeguard, one designer had personal experience with these challenges. Since one-piece suits are typically uncomfortable and ride up when swimming, lifeguards often select bikinis. Conversely, bikini tops are known to slip or become untied; bottoms may not stay in place while rescuingsomeone.
Photographer, Robert Hubner and Model, Kayla Clement
The design solution developed through sketching, researching past and present fashions, experimentation and draping directly on fit models. To maintain comfort and function, we ‘tethered’ the bikini top and bottom by connecting them. This monokini styling is slimming, gives the illusion of curves, yet is not too revealing. It has a unique aesthetically pleasing and functional design. The impression that this lifeguard has the power to save lives and maintain order is reinforced by the dark color, active pattern and strong triangular shapes.
We experimented with bust cup alternatives and selected layered polyester fleece to create depth and softness rather than a rigid shape. Rather than sew through elastic in the usual application, typical swimwear elastic was replaced by round stretch shoelace inserted into channels with a bodkin. This that maximized strength yet allowed for tension adjustments to achieve snugness without undue pressure on the body. A substantial underbust strap secures the horizontal fit while the tether holds bra and panty in place vertically. Finally, buckles connect front and back panty section to grip the body and stay in place.
Fabric typically used for dancewear in two-way stretch 80% nylon/20% spandex was used after experimentation showed typical four way stretch swimwear fabric was quite thin and see through. We tried to experiment with tan through swimwear fabric but was unable to locate any in material form. Metal buckles were attached to tabs to connect front and back of the panty area to again create pressure and keep garment in place while actively swimming.
This project came from an undergraduate scholar experiment that is continuing further into product testing. Versions of this design are being wear-tested by real lifeguards. The durability, appearance retention, and longevity of selected fabrics is also being tested to understand wearer response to the swimsuit in the intended situation of use.
Tamara, a senior in Apparel Design, received the received the Eden Travel International Award in Design from the International Textiles and Apparel Association at their annual meeting in Bellevue October 28-31st.
She will receive travel to/from London, accommodations for a week in London, and the opportunity to work with Zandra Rhodes (in London) for a week.
In addition she will receive silk fabric from the Queen Sirkit Institute of Sericulture Peacock Standard. Her piece was ‘Please Save Me’ a mono-kini designed as part of a CAHNRS Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship project last year.
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