So these swimsuits suddenly became obsolete and useless and lay in storage for several months. But at the Esthetica, the British Fashion Council ethical fashion area at London Fashion week, a collaboration between Speedo and award winning sustainable Fashion Label ‘From Somewhere’ was announced. Speedo decided to not just throw away all of the leftover fabric but to recycle it and write a brand new chapter in the history of the Speedo LZR Racer suit by providing the suits to a series of artistic and creative groups and institutions to use in a series of collaborative projects.
From Swimsuit to Fashionable Dress
David Robinson, President of Speedo International, said: "The Speedo LZR Racer suit has been a design icon in the sport of swimming since its launch in 2008. During its time in the pool, swimmers wearing it have broken 91 world records and achieved outstanding results. The Speedo collaboration with From Somewhere now allows the LZR Racer to be a design icon outside of the pool. As a company which places great importance in sustainability, we are thrilled to announce the collaboration with From Somewhere. Innovative projects such as this are the perfect way to responsibly dispose of the surplus stocks of the suit while extending the legacy of the Speedo LZR Racer beyond the pool and onto the catwalk. I look forward to seeing the rest of the range early next year."
From Somewhere is a creative and sustainable fashion label which is run by Orsola de Castro and her husband Filippo Ricci. All their women’s collections are made from luxury consumer waste such as proofs, swatches, end or rolls and production off cuts.
The owners of From Somewhere said: "From Somewhere is incredibly excited about collaborating with Speedo, as the high-tech fabrics allow our creativity to run wild. The collection is design led and directional as well as having a considerable environmental impact. We look forward to digging deeper both into our creative resources and into Speedo’s excess stock!"
Speedo and From Somewhere are showing us that recycling can mean beautiful fashion as well, and that even swimsuits can be recycled to make gorgeous clothes. Hopefully in the future we will see a lot more of these eco friendly collaborations. The limited edition capsule collection that is still in development, comprises a statement dress constructed purely of Speedo LZR Racer suits that will be auctioned for charity, while the full collection of the collaboration between Speedo and From Somewhere will be revealed in early 2011 and a percentage of all sales will go to a charity.
Estethica at London Fahion Week 2010
Written by Manja Louman
Images: courtesy of From Somewhere
