Rod Beattie (swimwear designer)
Rod Beattie | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1959 |
| Occupation | Swimwear designer |
Rod Beattie (1959) is an American swimwear designer. His swimsuit designs are sold at stores throughout the United States.[citation needed] Beattie designed for La Blanca and Anne Cole Collection for 25 years. He launched his own swimwear label, "Bleu/Rod Beattie",[1] in the summer of 2011.
Early life and education[edit]
Beattie was born in California. Before he attended Otis College of Art and Design,[2] he was part of his high school's swim team.[3]
Career[edit]
After graduation in 1986, Beattie designed sportswear at several contemporary houses in Los Angeles, including Theodore and Max Studio. In 1988 he began to design swimwear for La Blanca,[4] helping the company to increase sales to about $30 million.[citation needed][5]
After six years with La Blanca, Beattie began on to design swimwear for the Anne Cole Collection, which at the time was a division of Warnaco. In March 1999, Beattie left Anne Cole Collection, joining La Blanca as head designer[6] with his name now on the label.[7] For the next ten years, La Blanca by Rod Beattie was the top-selling retail swimwear label in the United States.[8]
At the end of 2010, Beattie collaborated with swimwear manufacturer A. H. Schreiber to create a new swimwear brand[9][10] "Bleu/Rod Beattie", with sales beginning in 2011.[11]
In 2014 Beattie sold the Bleu/Rod Beattie line to Amerex Group.[12]
Special Projects[edit]
Beattie mentors students at Otis College of Art and Design,[13] helping them develop swimwear designs during a semester long swimwear assignment which are showcased at an annual fashion show.[14][15]
References[edit]
- ^ "Swimsuit designer Rod Beattie makes a splash at Belk SouthPark". Charlotte Business Journal.
- ^ "Modern Muses: Bleu/Rod Beattie". Fashion Mannuscript June 2012 - Sheridan
- ^ "Islands in the Stream". Apparel News, By Deborah Belgum | Friday, July 11, 2014
- ^ JTN. International Department, Osaka Senken. 1988.
- ^ Women's Wear Daily stories, Dec 10, 2009 and Oct 8 2010
- ^ "Sizzling styles for the beach". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Johnson Publishing Company (January 2003). Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. pp. 86–. ISSN 0012-9011.
- ^ California Apparel News July 11, 2011 also The Swim Journal Jan/Feb 2011
- ^ "Rod Beattie to Design Swim for A.H. Schreiber" (http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/intimates-activewear/rod-beattie-to-design-swim-for-ah-schreiber-3370825) Women's Wear Daily. November 3, 2010.
- ^ "A.H. Shreiber Hires Designer Rod Beattie to Launch New Swimwear Label" (http://www.theswimjournal.com/pageflip/1764844095jafe2011/index.html) The Swim Journal. January/February 2011.
- ^ "Waterwear 2012: Into the Bleu" (http://www.apparelnews.net/news/manufacturing/070811-Waterwear-2012-Into-the-Bleu) California Apparel News. July 8, 2011.
- ^ "Swimwear Label Bleu/Rod Beattie Sold to Amerex Group". Apparel News. (subscription required).
- ^ "L.A.'s Otis College Raises $1 Million with Designer-Mentored Student Fashion Show". Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Graduation Time at Otis College of Art and Design" (http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/graduation-time-at-otis-college-of-art-and-design-3607683) Women's Wear Daily. May 10, 2011.
- ^ "Swimsuit Designer Mentors Designers of the Future" (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/fashion/Swimsuit_Designer_Mentors_Designers_of_the_Future_Los_Angeles-114398584.html) NBC Los Angeles. January 21, 2011.
External links[edit]
- Bleu/Rod Beattie website. (http://www.bleurodbeattie.com/)