Having been a costume designer in the Australian Film and Television industry, I had always worked by asking questions about function, comfort, character and so on, then filtering my answers through my design ethic and/or aesthetic. I wanted the Betty Diamond swimwear range to at least include support, good fit, durability and a kind of retro inspired, classic sexiness.
I was just so sick of skimpy Lycra bathers, which if I could find any that fitted me, wore out before the summer was even over, so I decided to rethink women’s swimwear.
It took me 2 years to find the right fabric (it’s strong and made here in Australia), research sizing (we measured many many women), get the patterns right (thanks to all the friends and friends of friends who gave their time to get pinned and fitted) and to learn about some of the mysteries of the manufacturing process – a very interesting, creative and ongoing journey.
Betty Diamond was quietly launched in 2009. We’re small and growing well – printing our own fabric, and manufacturing in our home town of Sydney – the response has been thrilling!
It’s very exciting to be part of the ground swell of women, reclaiming their real beauty and celebrating the curves and shapeliness of the female form.