Next to wedding dresses swimsuits must be one of the happiest items of clothing we wear. Annie Scanlon, costume historian and member of the Costume Society Scotland will ‘show and tell’ her extensive collection of 20th century bathing costumes and swimwear accessories. A chance find in a charity shop started a collection which now numbers over 100 swimsuits and 60 hats and led her to find out about the lives of their owners and the social and historical times they lived in. Fashion and technology have influenced the design of swimwear, not forgetting the changing ‘fashions’ in morals over the period.

There will be plenty of time for questions and Annie always enourages attendees to bring along their own swimwear and memories to share.

Be prepared for some fun!

Annie Scanlon was brought up in an enthusiastic ‘costume’ family and runs an ‘orphanage’ for old clothes helping owners to find loving homes for their treasured garments whether that be museums, private collections or designers.

She is a member of the Costume Society Scotland and has served as chair and secretary, she currently edits its monthly newsletter ‘Out of the Wardrobe’.

Her swimwear collection has featured in exhibitions at the Stockport Hat Museum and the East Lothian Coastal Museum plus creating temporay exhibitions which she takes to fairs and events.

She shares her collection and enthusiasm through talks and writting articles for magazines and journals.

Annie is a retired librarian and is currently working with Leith Custom House on the development of their innovative ‘digital museum’.