“Reserve your right to think. For even thinking wrongly is better than not thinking at all.” Hypatia of Alexandria.

Our cultural and natural heritage is an indispensable source of life and inspiration. Places as special and diverse as the wild expanses of the Serengeti National Park in East Africa, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Villa Romana de Casale constitute the true definition of the concept of beauty.  

In fact, the Villa Romana de Casale, original from the 4th century AC, located in the beautiful Italian region of Piazza Armerina, Sicily, has one of the biggest collections of ancient Roman mosaics ever discovered. Representations of all kinds are found among its mosaics in a great state of preservation: hunting days, animal motifs, circus scenes…

We can give a special mention to the luxurious residence of Casale; either the cultural heritage of the Piazza Armerina or the genuine Sicily, but what really merits our attention is the “Bikini Girls” mosaic. The most famous and best preserved mosaic, located in the Chamber of the Ten Maidens, portrays young women dressed in what look like the first bikinis, doing sports like weightlifting, discus throwing, races and ball games. 

With the advent of Christianity and its morals about liberty and women’s bodies, this garment fell into disuse, imposing stylistic models which covered practically all the female skin. So much so that changes in women’s swimwear throughout history have reflected sociological and technological changes, which is why the garment acts as a time barometer.

In the latest releases by Splash by Lo we continue exploring the history of the female bathing suit, tracing how it’s evolved across time and continents, because it doesn’t just provide us with an idea of the trends and technological advances in materials and design, but also an exploration of female liberation.