While Olympic competitions judge speed, accuracy and endurance, we at Stylesight are more intrigued by the sartorial statements being made in London. Perhaps in no other discipline does costume play a bigger role than synchronized swimming – summer’s answer to figure skating. We were glued to nbcolympics.com yesterday, watching the duet technical competition, where underwater ballerinas showed off bedazzled costumes, bold makeup and shellacked(?) hair. Like wind-up toys, teams open their routines with some very dramatic, oft-bizarre choreography and poses. We captured some of our favorites below.
Russia
France
Korea
Greece
Italy
Spain
Switzerland
Ukraine
Top finishers, Russia and Spain, also had what we thought were the most forward (read: understated) swimsuits of the night. Coincidence? The fashion show continues today, as teams scissor kick, twirl, vogue, moonwalk and bank heist their way through the free competition.
The hair’s “shellacked” appearance probably comes from applying Knox Gelatine and allowing it to harden. It’s a trick of the trade, so that hair stays put.