She was a record breaker, a film star, a bestselling author and an entrepreneur – but her greatest achievement, in her own eyes, was popularising the modern swimming costume
Rihanna and her barely-there outfits? Pfoo. Katy Perry and her constant cleavage? Whatever. And Cheryl Cole's rosy bottom? Not even fighting in the heavyweights. If you want provocative, the blueprint was drawn up a century ago, by an Australian swimmer called Annette Kellerman.
Born in 1886 in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, Kellerman had such weak legs that until the age of six or seven, she wore steel braces for support. To help her muscles develop, Kellerman's parents began taking her to the local pool. "Only a cripple can understand the intense joy I experienced," she later said. "After I learned, I'd go swimming anywhere, anytime."
It soon became clear that Annette was not only a natural-born swimmer, but also a natural performer.
Rihanna and her barely-there outfits? Pfoo. Katy Perry and her constant cleavage? Whatever. And Cheryl Cole's rosy bottom? Not even fighting in the heavyweights. If you want provocative, the blueprint was drawn up a century ago, by an Australian swimmer called Annette Kellerman.
Born in 1886 in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, Kellerman had such weak legs that until the age of six or seven, she wore steel braces for support. To help her muscles develop, Kellerman's parents began taking her to the local pool. "Only a cripple can understand the intense joy I experienced," she later said. "After I learned, I'd go swimming anywhere, anytime."
It soon became clear that Annette was not only a natural-born swimmer, but also a natural performer.
- 11/8/2013
- by Paul Mason
- The Guardian - Film News
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