Modest designer attracts wide audience
Since being ousted as the designer behind Surf Life Saving Australia's (SLSA) controversial "burqini" uniforms, the Punchbowl-based designer has spent more time working her telephone than she has working her needle and thread.
In fact she has fielded so many enquiries from consumers keen to find out more about her unique range of swimwear, she is now in the process of designing an accompanying collection of sportswear.
A release date has not yet been confirmed.
Zanetti rose to prominence last year after she was asked by SLSA to develop swimsuits that met religious requirements for modesty as part of the association's ongoing commitment to increase diversity among its members.
The two piece lightweight red and yellow swimsuit, dubbed a burqini owing to its similarity to the head to toe burka, is currently being put through additional tests to ensure it is stinger and sun resistant.
The move follows a similar move by Nike and the United Nations, who designed a limited range of volleyball uniforms for Muslim women living in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya. The uniforms allowed the female athletes to dig, spike, and set while covering their bodies and heads in a way that remained true to their faith. Nike has said it has no plans to commercialise the range.
Zanetti said she had also fielded enquiries from a lot of non-Muslim woman keen to trial the swimwear.
"It is a lot more comfortable and demure than a wetsuit or rash vest. It also serves very well to those who want to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays. Pregnant women can also wear it as the fabric is stretchy enough to accommodate a pregnancy and elastic enough to return to the original shape post-birth."
The 38-year-old mother of four said while the SLSA brief presented her with many unique challenges, the toughest part was finding the right fabric.
As well as being chlorine resistant, it could not weigh too much when it became wet nor cling to the body.
The garments also required an additional designer detail, with heat press prints added to the bodice area to enhance modesty.
"When someone is swimming their garments tend to move around. I've incorporated small ties that are hidden from the outside so if someone were to do a summersault the garment would not fly up. It was tough to create a garment that would meet all the practical and religious needs. Tough, but so rewarding."