Watersun Swimwear
Encyclopedia
Watersun Swimwear is the oldest privately owned Australian swimwear and beachwear
manufacturer. Established in the mid-1950s, Watersun has been synonymous with the Australian way of life in terms of Swimwear and Beach Fashions for nearing half a century. Its trademark Graphic Glamour Swimsuit
Designs of the '60s, '70s and '80s were recently displayed in the Australian National Maritime Museum
which paid tribute to the History of Australian Swimwear: Exposed! The Story of Swimwear.
, Victoria, in 1955 by David Waters. Operating a retail outlet with manufacturing at the back of a small shop in Brunswick Street
, Fitzroy
, Watersun employed young new designers to gain notoriety with swimwear designs in a very conservative post-war Australia.
Watersun was sold in 1984 to ADA swimwear who subsequently filed for bankruptcy
in 1987 with the current owner, Conalpin Pty. Ltd., acquiring the trademark
s for both Watersun and ADA in 2009.
in Sydney reflecting the cultural design significance of the brand.
Swimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
manufacturer. Established in the mid-1950s, Watersun has been synonymous with the Australian way of life in terms of Swimwear and Beach Fashions for nearing half a century. Its trademark Graphic Glamour Swimsuit
Swimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
Designs of the '60s, '70s and '80s were recently displayed in the Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a federally-operated maritime museum located in Darling Harbour, Sydney. After consideration of the idea to establish a maritime museum, the Federal government announced that a national maritime museum would be constructed at Darling Harbour, tied into...
which paid tribute to the History of Australian Swimwear: Exposed! The Story of Swimwear.
History
Watersun was founded in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria, in 1955 by David Waters. Operating a retail outlet with manufacturing at the back of a small shop in Brunswick Street
Brunswick Street, Melbourne
Brunswick Street is a street in inner northern Melbourne, known for cafés, live music venues and alternative fashion shops.-Geography:Brunswick Street runs north-south through the inner northern Melbourne suburbs of Fitzroy and Fitzroy North, from Victoria Parade at its southernmost end, crossing...
, Fitzroy
Fitzroy, Victoria
Fitzroy is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra. Its borders are Alexandra Parade , Victoria Parade , Smith Street and Nicholson Street. Fitzroy is Melbourne's...
, Watersun employed young new designers to gain notoriety with swimwear designs in a very conservative post-war Australia.
Watersun was sold in 1984 to ADA swimwear who subsequently filed for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
in 1987 with the current owner, Conalpin Pty. Ltd., acquiring the trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
s for both Watersun and ADA in 2009.
Designs
A display of Watersun is featured in the Powerhouse MuseumPowerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is the major branch of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney, the other being the historic Sydney Observatory...
in Sydney reflecting the cultural design significance of the brand.
Sponsorships
- Miss WorldMiss WorldThe Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
1972 winner Belinda GreenBelinda GreenBelinda Roma Green won the 1972 Miss World contest, representing Australia, at the age of 20.Growing up in Sydney, she became the second woman from her country to win the title; the first, Penelope Plummer, was crowned Miss World in 1968... - Official swimsuit sponsor for 2010 Miss Teen Australia and Miss World Supermodel
- Mrs Australia winner 2010 Nikki Eastmure
Models
- Model Pania RosePania RosePania Rose is an Australian fashion model perhaps best known for her 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition appearance.-Biography:...
has appeared in Watersun campaigns for 2005, 2006, and 2007 - Model Miss Australia Erin McNaught
- Catherine McNeil