Making Waves: Swimsuits and the Undressing of America

San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1989. 160 pages, illustrations (chiefly colour); 31 cm. Near fine. Firm binding, clean inside copy. Age toning. OVERSIZE! No priority/international, except by special arrangement. Profusely illustrated. "The revealing story of how skin went public in America. The swimsuit--more than any other type of clothing--is an item of fantasy and a challenge to daring fashion designers. Making Waves explores every aspect of the design and manufacture of swimwear and delves into the psychological and social roots of swimsuit styles and their appeal. Illustrated with over a hundred photographs, lithographs and drawings, this book chronicles the evolution of swimsuits from the nineteenth century to the present day. The contemporary and historical illustrations include provocative swimwear advertisements featuring the sexy physiques of Hollywood stars Marilyn Monroe, James Garner and Ronald Reagan; swimsuit pinups by Alberto Varga and George Petty; and, collected in a book for the first time, a selection of swimsuit photographs from Sports Illustrated's annual tribute to the female form." - Publisher. CONTENTS: The bathing machine; Bare beginnings; Taking the plunge; Elastic fantastic; Going to pieces; Reconstruction and deconstruction; The incredible shrinking suit; Choosing sides.. 1st. Paperback. Very Good. 4to.