​Affirmations in Lycra
A Bang Bang Fairy Tale
 
This is the story of two fabulously amazing women. By no means a full account of their remarkable lives – more of a vignette, a snippet of a moment cinched at the waist by a sturdy leather strap fastened with a solid brass buckle – only to be contrasted with, and softened by, the fine intricate work of a delicate lace ruffle. 

This is a tale of courage, adventure, a celebration of life and infinite possibilities. 
 
Are you up for such a story? Maybe you are just a little Siouxsie curious and open to the idea of a new experience. Or perhaps you are a Sue Rice fan from way back and have been wondering for years about what really happened. Then again, it is quite conceivable that you have been transported here by the mysterious Facebook algorithm and, like someone who boards the train home after a long day at work only  to wake up at the end of line three hours later, you have no idea where you are or what’s going on. 

Regardless of how you came to being here, I hope you stay – it will be fun. 
 
Okay, are you ready?  Sitting comfortably? Righty oh then, let’s begin.
 
Chapter One – Affirmations in Lycra
At a time not so long ago, in a place not so far away, behind the walls of an unassuming upstairs/downstairs terrace – slipped neatly between the Picture Framer (whose shop window was filled with an array of southward pointing right angles) and the Japanese Florist cum Café (whose Ikebana tended to be somewhat more delightful than their Americana) – Sue Rice and her team of Thimble Fairies crafted truly exquisite swimwear.   
 
So much more than your regular bathing suits, Sue’s creations were Affirmations in Lycra – inspiring women to Sparkle and Shine. That is not to suggest that these swimmers were possessed of some kind of sinister magic – No. Their transformative power was the result of commitment, applied Knowledge and Passion. It was the culmination of Structure, Support, Fit, Attention to Detail and an eye for Style beyond Trends that stripped away the cruel self-doubt (like the layer, upon layer, upon layer of Mission Brown paint that was so ruthlessly poured across the 1970s Australian suburban landscape), to uncover buried confidence and release hidden beauty.
 
From the very beginning the word spread, at first, just a gentle sweet trickle of honey as ladies whispered into the ears of their closest friends about their exciting new discovery. The whispers soon became enthusiastic conversations about Sue’s gifts and her beautiful offerings, then articles rejoicing her miraculous creations, publications praising her fabrications – then broadcasts, telecasts and transmissions until the word had spread across the lands and the seas.
 
I think it is fair to assume that Laika didn’t actively seek fame and glory. Its not like she was stalking scientists through the streets of Moscow with a plan to, befriend them, gain their trust and ultimately fly a little Sputnik around the planet – just so she could be immortalised as the first dog in space. Similarly for Sue, it was never about building a world-renowned fashion house - of ill repute, no grand design to be ahead of the pack in a senseless race toward ever-flimsier ever-faster fashion. The vision and the outcome were always about honest-to-goodness swimwear for all women, beautifully made, made to be beautiful.   
 
For many years Sue Rice and her band of ever-industrious Thimble Fairies toiled away designing and developing evermore Wondrous cossies and helping many many women feel evermore Fabulous. And so it was… until the day it all changed.    
 
Chapter Two – A Cheeky Breeze (coming soon)