At DWS we spend most of our time trying to predict the (fashion) future but occasionally it's nice to look back, especially when it is to remember the passing of an design icon. LEAH GOTTLIEB who 'checked out' of her atelier this week at the grand old age of 94 was never a household name BUT we owe her an enormous debt for her remarkable style and talent and her one unforgettable achievement : she made swimwear SEXY!
When she started off with a single sewing machine in a refugee camp in Israel just after WW2 I'm sure she had no idea then that she would end up selling more than a million swimsuits a year within 20 years. Up till Leah came along swimwear was best described as utlitarian and was so very unflattering, but she came up with the un-heard of idea of actually making them glamourus!
Gottex her label was worn by Sports Ilustrated models, Royalty, movie stars ... she used velvet, metallic gold fabric and psuede-suede as some of her swimsuits got more about lounging than actually getting wet. But she takes credit too that with her love of spandex she made bathing suits comfortable for women to wear too.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Princess Diane, Mrs Gottlieb was the go-to swimwear queen for decades, but more importantly women everywhere could have exactly the same outfits and (hopefully) look just as good as them.
Leah Gottlieb was a true star that made fashion such wonderful fun, and we honour her for that. We are sure she'll find some great beauties wearing Gottex creations in the great swimming pool in the sky.
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