The Fine Art of Body Painting and Swimsuits

The year is 1967. Wide open space suits have cut outs for body painting. Body painting came into Vogue for mod gals wanting to spruce up their beach look and help to show off bronzed bodies. Swimsuits had strategically placed cutouts and body paint began being applied to the skin to accentuate the summer tan. These images from Look in 1967 have models sporting cut out swimsuits.
Cut outs give new exposure to the two piece abbreviated swimsuit, as in the orange and plum crisscross maillot and the lime diagonally cut kind, designed by Bill Blass for Roxanne. Two triangles linked by a plastic ring swimsuit along with a neckline of plastic rings. I especially love the wild colored wigs that complete the look. The model in the lime suit reminds us of Debby Harry.

Another approach in the 60's was to have floral appliques layered against a nude mesh creating a body paint look. This image from the year 2000 features model Laetitia Casta wearing a swimsuit from 1967 by Sinz-Euro Swim.


Sports Illustrated has been featuring body painted swimsuit models in it's Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue for now the eleventh consecutive year. This clip features 2008 model Jessica Gomes. Pretty cool wouldn't you say?

SI Swimsuit: Body painting Jessica Gomes
by sportsillustrated