London’s Design Museum is making waves with its latest exhibition, Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style, which explores 100 years of swimming culture, fashion, and architecture. Among the standout exhibits is Pamela Anderson’s legendary red Baywatch swimsuit, one of the most recognized pieces of swimwear in history.
Opening to the public on March 28, the exhibition showcases over 200 objects from across Europe, examining swimming’s evolution in sports, design, and leisure. Highlights include Olympic gold medals, vintage swimwear, and even Tom Daley’s Speedos from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
A Journey Through Swimming’s History
Curated by dress historian Amber Butchart, the exhibition is divided into three sections—pools, lidos, and natural swimming spaces. It traces how swimwear evolved from Victorian-era bathing costumes to performance-enhancing designs like the banned LZR Racer swimsuit, once considered ‘technical doping’ in competitive swimming.
Notably, visitors will also see one of the earliest bikinis, dating back to 1951, a 1933 striped woolen men’s swimsuit, and the evolution of Speedos from the 1980s to today. The exhibition doesn’t just focus on fashion but also delves into architectural innovations, featuring a model of the London Aquatics Centre designed by Zaha Hadid.
Pamela Anderson’s Red Swimsuit Steals the Spotlight
The red one-piece made famous by Anderson as CJ Parker in Baywatch is expected to draw significant attention. The show, which aired in the 1990s, captivated around 1.1 billion viewers weekly and made the swimsuit a cultural icon. This particular suit, on loan from the BikiniARTmuseum in Germany, was originally part of David Hasselhoff’s collection before being acquired by the museum in 2023.
Exploring Swimming’s Cultural Impact
Beyond swimwear, the exhibition investigates how swimming influences body image, self-expression, and environmental awareness. It also highlights contemporary swimwear designers challenging norms around accessibility and inclusivity in public swimming spaces.
Tim Marlow, Director of the Design Museum, emphasized the exhibition’s broader narrative: “The story of swimming is more than just sport. It reflects how society has evolved in terms of leisure, travel, wellbeing, and design.”
Supported by luxury swimwear brand Orlebar Brown, Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style runs until August 17, 2025, offering a deep dive into the rich history of swimming and its impact on global culture.