Styled Archives: A Retro Dive Into MENA's Most Iconic Swimwear Looks

Long before resortwear emerged as a category of its own, swimwear occupied a visible place in fashion imagery across the region. From the 1950s through the early 1970s, actresses, performers and beauty queens appeared in magazine covers, film publicity stills and editorial shoots wearing silhouettes that reflected changing approaches to beach dressing. High-waisted bikinis, structured one-pieces, playful prints and athletic cuts all found their place within a period shaped by shifting fashion trends, a growing film industry and evolving ideas of leisure. Together, these images offer a glimpse into the role swimwear played within the broader visual culture of the MENA region.

Viewed today, the photographs reveal the range of styles that defined the era. Samia Gamal's high-waisted two-piece reflects the proportions associated with 1950s swimwear, while Mariam Fakhr Eddine's sweetheart-neckline one-piece points to the more sculpted silhouettes that followed. Soad Hosny's striped shorts-style swimsuit offers a sportier alternative, while Ragaa El Geddawy's printed one-piece and Shadia's black swimsuit illustrate two distinct approaches to beachwear. Rounding out the selection are Naglaa Fathi's navy bikini and Georgina Rizk's structured black two-piece, both photographed at the turn of the 1970s, when swimwear silhouettes were becoming increasingly streamlined.