Are swimwear manufacturers keeping up with a growing Australia?
Australians are getting larger, according to research, but have clothing manufacturers recognised this trend .
For all for seasons of the Australian reality show, “The Biggest Loser”, the contestants have faced up to their biggest challenge in shorts and cropped tops. But finding plus size swimwear and activewear provided organisers with a near-impossible challenge of their own - until their internet search uncovered Perth-based retailer, Viva Swimwear.
Viva Swimwear was the only manufacturer they found who could provide them with swimwear and custom-made sportswear in sizes 32 and above.Four years on, Viva Swimwear is still providing the swimwear and activewear for “The Biggest Loser”, proof that form, function and fashion can co-exist - even for plus sizes.
Founder and owner of Viva Swimwear, Julie Wiggins, is modest about the endorsement, saying her company’s philosophy is to provide women of all shapes and sizes with swimwear that is comfortable, supportive and long-lasting. “Swimwear is a confidence garment, so it must look good and importantly, the wearer must feel great,” she says.
Viva Swimwear manufactures the majority of its products locally using imported fabric, which allowed quick turnaround time for the specially-designed range for “The Biggest Loser”.”As the kilos came off, we had to work quickly to manufacture new clothing to fit the contestants’ changing shape!,” Julie said.
Viva Swimwear isn’t limited to plus size swimwear, but offers a wide range for men, women and children of any size and shape.The range includes chlorine-resistant swimwear as well as a kids and babies range of swimsuits, swim nappies, rash tops, shorts and tankinis.
Julie believes she has captured the niche market for larger sizes, selling plus size swimwear across Australia online through her website as well as through her two Perth retail outlets.”Over the years, there has been a growing demand for plus size swimwear,” which is in line with research that shows that Australians are getting bigger.
Compared to a 1980 study which found that 25% of the population was overweight, the 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifesstyle Study showed that 60% - 7 million adults aged 25 years or older - were overweight.More recent research by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 2007-2008 National Health Survey showed that 62% of the population was overweight or obese.Is this trend reflected in the clothing we can buy ?
Julie’s belief is that everyone wants to be treated equally, regardless of size. “We differ from other suppliers in that we don’t have a separate plus size section.We feel it’s discriminatory to have separate sections.We stock our full range of swimwear in sizes up to 32, and we are able to custom-make our standard range in larger sizes if necessary.We cater for all shapes and sizes - from plus size swimwear, to crop tops and racers, cover-ups and rash tops, baby swimnappies to tankinis.Everyone is a winner !”
