Robin Piccone

Robin Piccone is an American fashion designer known for pioneering the use of neoprene in her scuba style swimwear under the Body Glove label. Robin Piccone is often affectionately called the “Queen of Neoprene” due to her pioneering work with the material in swimwear design.

Early life
Piccone, who was raised in Los Angeles, California, developed a passion for design from a young age. She attended Beverly Vista elementary school and graduated from Beverly Hills High School before enrolling at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where she graduated with honors, winning 5 out of six gold thimbles and one silver.

Career
Her first job was with swimwear company Cole of California, after which she relocated to New York to design for Bobbie Brooks. The Body Glove brand was known primarily to divers and surfers until 1985, when Piccone licensed a line of swimsuits. Her designs quickly gained popularity and a devoted following. In 1985, she established her own company at the age of 24 in her garage in Venice, California. Piccones swimsuits in her debut collection became instant icons of 80s style, widely imitated throughout the swimwear industry, landing her several magazine covers. Through Piccones association with Patricia Field, she was introduced to RuPaul, for whom she designed swimwear and gowns. In 1990, she began her namesake collection, which she continues to this day. Piccone has served as a mentor to students at Otis College of Art and Design until 2010.

Recognitions and community involvement
Piccone is an active member of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America). She actively engages in community involvement and contributes to fundraising projects for pediatric AIDS research at the City of Hope National Medical Center. She was honored by City of Hope National Medical Center as “woman of the year” in 1990. Piccone won the 1989 California Designer of the Year award.

Piccones swimwear is in the permanent collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Her innovative use of neoprene fabric resulted in the exhibition of two of her original neoprene suits and a mini skirt.