Esther Williams: The Godmother of Modern Swimsuits
Esther Williams: The Godmother of Modern Swimsuits
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) – On June 6, legendary Hollywood bathing beauty Esther Williams will be honored by the fashionistas at the California Design College – which is only fitting since she’s the godmother of the modern bathing suit. Williams changed the face of women’s swimwear during WWII when the Secretary of the Navy asked her to star in a film that would encourage ladies to enlist, Skirts Ahoy. She says, at the time, Navy women wore ugly, bunchy cotton swimsuits that looked like old sweaters – so she convinced the Navy to switch to suits made from a new stretchy latex material that she had specially developed. Although Williams ushered in the era of skintight swimsuits, she’s no fan of the modern bikini, which she describes as “Dixie Cups on a string.” In her words, “Honey, it’s not a thing to swim in.”
Tue 05-28-02