body painted swimsuits show a century of summer fashion

these body painted swimsuits depict the most poplar trends in summer fashion over the last 100 years. the short video visually illustrates the significant styles in swimwear from 1916 to 2016, dramatically shifting from outfit-like ensembles to sultry two-piece garb.  

100 years of swimwear in body paint
video courtesy of mode

created by mode, the video includes a cast of body painters who carefully illustrate swimsuit styles directly onto the skin of the model. shifting in and out of the frame, the artists each meticulously render a host of outfits using pigment, drawing belts, bustiers and bikini tops as a camera captures the action. camouflaged by paint, the model sports beach-ready ensembles from 1916’s full-body swimwear to the iconic red ‘baywatch’ one-piece popularized in the 1990s. while a fun and artistic endeavor into body art and design, the video also provides a visual history of the changing fashion trends that emerged throughout the years, and makes us wonder — what’s next?