Yes, this dress used to be Michael Phelps’ swimmers. Speedo’s efforts to breath new life into their now-obsolete LZR competition suits has moved from concept to consumer reality.
The creative projects commissioned to rid Speedo’s attic of surplus suits have been well documented on HowBigIsYourEco: a university design project and collaboration with label From Somewhere.
The latter has just hit Selfridges in the UK under the moniker From Somewhere With Speedo. The two pieces exclusive to the department store includes the rather excellent Gussy dress, seen above. Pleasingly, the commercial products are an even more enticing prospect than the original concepts. The elegant silhouette and pops of colour make the first dress seen at London Fashion Week last year seem fussy by comparison.
A further two pieces, including the flamenco-tastic barbie dress, below right, will be available from Earth Day (that’s April 22) at online shopping hub yoox.com, in their permanent YOOXYGEN section dedicated to sustainable style. From Somewhere With Speedo will also see the light of day at Hallelujah in Brussels, Belgium and at Tokyo’s Beams outlet.
