Ivan Sayers at the Maritime Museum of Vancouver: History of the Swimsuit 1890 - Present

Ivan Sayers curates and presents his collection of bathing suits and accessories from 1890 to modern times. This collection will be at the museum until November 2 and will be a great place to visit when the beaches are deserted and the umbrellas are up. 

Historically, the bathing costume went from ornamental costume to form fitting, 

practical and functional swim suit.  Think from standing or sitting, shaded by a 

parasol, to swimming, diving, competing, life-saving and so forth. 

I do like practicality and glitter, especially in gold!

We are reminded of how modesty was a big issue back in the days of petticoats, 

shifts and corsettes and cover up, and even though these may seem old fashioned 

to us, they were revolutionary for the times.  

In terms of accessories, two I really liked, even though they were (and are) 

detrimental to the 'do', have interesting designs and are, of course, gold. 

If you have to wear a bathing cap, then you must have the right sunglasses 

and these ones caught my eye.

Ivan has included a whole display of iconic labels and symbols of the 

companies who were in the bathing suit business, and one you all 

know well from Vancouver, is Jantzen.

This is a photo of a Woodword's window and all that is 

Canadian about advertising at that time.

This is an extraordinary collection and documentation of the history behind some fun in the sun.

See more of Ivan's collection in his next exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) Sept 18th-to March 8, 2015:  From Rationing to Ravishing: The Transformation of Women's Fashion in the 1940's and 50's.  MOV is at Vanier Park, very close to the Maritime Museum.  Get dressed up and come to the opening, September 17, 2014!  Setting, fashions and company - extraordinaire!