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‘Taking the Plunge: fashion in the water 1880-2013’: Exhibition held at Snibston Discovery Museum, Leicestershire Museums (May 2013 - May 2014), supported by paper ‘Reading Swimwear in the Trade Press’ The Natural Body Research Symposium, International Centre for Sports History & Culture, De Montfort University, April 2012

The exhibition developed out of a paper delivered by Boydell at the ‘Natural Body’ Symposium held at De Montfort University (DMU) in April 2012 (an interdisciplinary project with Boydell [dress history], Williams [sports history] and Buckland [dance history], funded by DMU R.I.F ). It presents the history of the swimsuit between 1880 and 2013. The exhibition uses the extensive swimwear collection of Leicestershire Museums with over eighty objects displayed in the temporary exhibition space, Changing Rooms, part of the Fashion Gallery of Snibston Discovery Museum. The exhibition builds on many smaller shows that have swimwear as a focus, but the originality of this exhibition lies in its focus on the development of suitable yarns and fabric to facilitate swimming. The exhibition consists of five sections: ‘Cling, Bag, Stretch’ charting the move from ill-fitting woven flannel and serge in the late nineteenth century to cotton stockinette and better fitting knitted ribbed wool and later the use of elastic and synthetic yarns; ‘Reveal & Conceal: modesty and exposure in and around the water’ – concentrates on relationship between body and cloth with the gradual exposure of flesh; ‘Bathing Beauties’ and ‘Mould and Control’ focuses on the relationship between swimwear and underwear, detailing the use of contouring technology by specific manufacturers; the final section – ‘In the Fast Lane : peak performance for elite swimming’ examined the role of fabric technology in improving performance for competitive swimming.

The research illuminated in the exhibition is based on primary archival sources, including the records of the firms Wolsey, R.H.Symington, Corah and Windsor Water Woollies. Also trade magazines housed in the De Montfort University 'Archives & Special Collections', formed a vital source for the investigation of the development of specialist yarns and fabrics.