Wolfsonian-FIU celebrates 100 years of swimwear

“Beauty on the Beach: A Centennial Celebration of Swimwear” will be on display at the Wolfsonian-FIU, July 10 through October 11. Also on view, photographer Miles Ladin’s contemporary portrait of Miami Beach bathing culture.

Newsletter Yarns by Frank Clark, 1930

On exhibit at the Wolfsonian-FIU, July 10 through October 11, “Beauty on the Beach: A Centennial Celebration of Swimwear” explores the role that fashion design plays in shaping and reflecting popular conceptions of glamour and health through an examination of innovations in swimwear design – in construction, materials and styling – as well as creative marketing strategies.

The installation will feature archival materials from the Wolfsonian-FIU and the Jantzen swimwear company, which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2010. Included in the display will be a large variety of swimsuits, bathing caps, accessories, illustration art, advertising and promotional materials.

To compliment the historical swimwear exhibit, the Wolfsonian commissioned New York City based photographer Miles Ladin to create “Sun Stroke Stimulus,” a contemporary portrait of Miami Beach bathing culture.

Sun Stroke Stimulus #1 by Miles Ladin

Ladin’s fashion photography has been featured in the style section of The New York Times, W Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar. Known for his critical view of everyday life, Ladin’s work is included in the collections of The Victoria & Albert Museum, London; the Special Collection Library of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Special Collection Library at The Witney Museum of American Art.