MIAMI (AP) — Just in time for swimsuit season, the HistoryMiami Museum is opening a new exhibit examining the relationship between the evolution of swimwear and the growth of South Florida over the past century.
“Waves of Style: Swimwear Through the Decades” opened to the public on Saturday and will be on view through October 5. The exhibit features approximately 50 historic pieces of swimwear from the museum’s extensive collection of more than 2,000 textiles.
The immersive and dynamic experience allows visitors to explore the history and evolution of swimwear, from the heavy wool suits still required by law in many places in the early 20th century to more modern styles that leave little to the imagination.
Natalia Crujeiras, CEO of HistoryMiami, said Miami is the perfect location for an exhibit like this because the city has shaped beach culture and been shaped by it like no other.
“From efforts for social change to a place of fun and exploration, and style inspiration around the world, the beach has always been a part of Miami,” she added.
Visitors can learn about Jane Fisher, the wife of pioneering Miami Beach real estate developer Carl G. Fisher. Jane Fisher became a trendsetter in the 1910s when she abandoned the traditional bathing suit—which included a long skirt, stockings, and a cap—for one of Miami Beach’s first tight-fitting swimsuits. At first, the public was shocked, but the style quickly gained popularity. Later, her husband used photos of “beauties in swimsuits” to promote Miami Beach nationwide.
Women weren’t the only ones expected to cover up in the early 20th century. Shirtless swimsuits for men weren’t common until the 1930s, when Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller bared his chest while portraying Tarzan in 12 films between 1932 and 1948. Many of these films were filmed, at least partially, in Florida, and Weissmuller worked as a swimming instructor at Miami’s Biltmore Hotel before landing the iconic role.
“The design and function of swimwear revealed different moments of change in perceptions of identity, gender, cultural expression, and even freedom,” Crujeiras added.
