Speedo, the world's leading swimwear brand, has unveiled a new fashion collaboration with award winning ethical fashion designers From Somewhere.
Produced using surplus stocks of its revolutionary Speedo LZR Racer suit - the swimsuit banned by swimming's governing body FINA in 2010 - the range features retro 50s styling with a modern twist, combining practical swimwear with high-end fashion trends (pictured right is the Selfrirdges exclusive Gussy dress which boasts a hem made out a selection of gussets from unsold swimwear!)
Launching in Selfridges stores on March 21st 2011, the UK release of the collection will coincide with Climate Week. On International Earth Day (April 21st 2011) the collection will reach an international audience with worldwide exclusive online retail partner yoox.com through its YOOXYGEN brand.
In addition to the wider range (two styles will be available exclusively at Selfridges and two styles will be exclusive to yoox.com) a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Green Cross International, YOOXYGEN's partner.
Orsola de Castro, co-owner of From Somewhere, said:
"After unveiling the first of our Speedo LZR Racer collaborations at London Fashion Week in September 2010, we have had an enormous amount of fun in designing and producing these latest pieces, and we feel that we've learned a lot about how far we can go, building our confidence, introducing lots of colour and creating designs we're extremely proud of.
"The range comprises a wide variety of products, taking in eveningwear made from over 60 swimsuits, to the super wearable 'Swimdress', a new concept in swimwear as daywear, and we're sure fashion followers will be delighted with the results."
In addition to its release in Selfridges stores in the UK and online exclusively at yoox.com, the 'From Somewhere with Speedo' collection will also be available at Hallelujah in Brussels, Belgium, and in Tokyo's Beams outlet.
* Meanwhile Speedo has partnered again with students from Chelsea College of Art and Design's Interior and Spatial Design degree course to extend the legacy of the sadly obsolete, yet iconic, LZR Racer suit. Unveiled at this year's Ecobuild Exhibition, currently taking place at London's Excel Centre (from 1st to 3rd March 2011), the Space of Waste pavillion features Speedo LZR Racer Fabric with the suits cut into thin strips before being remanufactured through various knitting and weaving techniques, exploring different properties of material and how it can be adapted for a use completely removed from its original purpose.
