Pineapple, for instance, makes a camisole-topped cotton Lycra Spider superheroes costumes costume (Pounds 29.99) and Gamba does a tank-topped base in nylon Lycra (Pounds 22). Pineapple has dominated the bodysuit business for the past ten years, and creates the most interesting variations hooded, in crushed velvet (Pounds 89.99); long-sleeved with turtleneck, in gold and black Lurex (Pounds 39.99); high-necked, sleeveless, with keyhole cut-out back, in cotton Lycra (Pounds 29.99). Swimwear manufacturers, used to producing strong, stretchy garments with locked seams, are enjoying the success of the bodysuit.
Liza Bruce has expanded her swimwear line to include stretchy spiderman costumes and dresses that hold and mould the body. ”Wearing a Spider man costume makes you feel more vital,” she says. John Galliano, using the manufacturing skills he now has to create his swimwear collection, includes bodysuits in his designer line. A simple Lycra base forms the first layer under his asymmetric chiffon slip dresses. This winter Rifat Ozbek underpins his colourful separates with velour Silver & Black Shiny Metallic Unisex Zentai Suit . Reappearing in cotton with Lycra for Ozbek’s new lower-priced Future line, they will join the crop of designer catsuits arriving in the shops next spring.
