by Jasmin Malik Chua

After months of teasing, Speedo and British fashion label From Somewhere have peeled back the curtain on their full range of upcycled swimsuits. Produced using surplus stocks of the now-unkosher Speedo LZR Racer suit, the range features 1950s-inspired party frocks with a peppy, modern twist.

DIVING IN
Besides the unlikely marriage of swimwear and haute couture, From Somewhere and Speedo are also making history with a new sartorial concept. “The range comprises a wide variety of products,” says Orsola de Castro, co-owner of From Somewhere, “[from] evening wear made from over 60 swimsuits to the super-wearable ‘Swimdress,’ a new concept in swimwear as day wear. We’re sure fashion followers will be delighted with the results.”
The outfits all consist of upcycled Speedo LZR Racer full-body swimsuits, which were banned by FINA after Michael Phelps’ record-breaking victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As a result, Speedo found itself with a massive surplus inventory of unsalable suits . The swimwear manufacturer came up with some interesting solutions, including commissioning students to create a shiny spandex pavilion for the London Festival of Architecture, as well as challenging undergrads from the London College of Fashion, University College Falmouth, and the University of Huddersfield to re-imagine the garments.
(Source: www.ecouterre.com )