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Collections

Margit Fellegi
Woman's Swimsuit, 'Swoon Suit'1942

Not on view
Two-piece cream satin swimsuit displayed flat against a black background, with a bow-front bandeau top and high-waisted ruched shorts with lace-up side panels
Two-piece cream swimsuit displayed flat against a black background; halter-style top with a central gathered knot, and high-waisted shorts with vertical ruching and lace-up side panels.
Close-up detail of a cream silk corset showing lace-up side busk with cream cord lacing over black wool interlining, and vertical ruching along the right panel.
Close-up detail of woven textile with soft folds and drape, plain-weave fabric in warm cream and pale gold tones, with visible thread texture and subtle light gradation across the surface.
Designer
Margit Fellegi
United States, 1903 - 1975
Design House
Cole of California
United States, California, Los Angeles, founded 1925
Title
Woman's Swimsuit, 'Swoon Suit'
Place Made
United States, California
Date Made
1942
Medium
Acetate satin
Dimensions
Center front length (Top): 3 1/2 in. (8.89 cm) Center back length (Bottom): 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Accession Number
M.74.76.7a-b
Classification
Costumes
Collecting Area
Costume and Textiles
Curatorial Notes

To conform to federal government restrictions on rubber consumption during World War II, the Swoon Suit—so named to suggest the appropriate male reaction to a woman wearing it—was designed to fit the figure with adjustable ties and side laces without using elastic. Cole of California’s factories manufactured parachutes for soldiers as well as making swimwear, and the firm advertised its patriotic response to wartime necessity in trade and popular magazines. This swimsuit’s most popular color was “Parachute White.”



(California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way," 2011-12)

Selected Bibliography
  • Kaplan, Wendy, ed. Living in a Modern Way: California Design, 1930-1965. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2013.
Selected Exhibition History
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014