Selfridges sells £2k bikini

As swimwear sales soar, Selfridges launches £2k bling-kini

Credit crunch, what credit crunch? That's clearly the attitude over at Selfridges' swimwear department, where they're celebrating a 33% rise in sales with the launch of a £2,000 bling-kini, that you can't even swim in!

The Anita, created by Pistol Panties, features 5,000 Swarovski crystals, ensuring that each square centimetre is worth a whopping £100.

In a maillot silhouette, it's a bikini/swimsuit hybrid, featuring two pieces joined by a beaded gold rope. And though it may look like swimwear, this is a piece strictly for posing - swimming is definitely off limits in the Anita!

The costly one-piece will hit stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham; each store already has waiting lists in place for buyers eager to pick up the limited-edition design.

Helen Attwood, Selfridges' swimwear buyer, commented, 'Swimwear is summer's ultimate style statement. With all the right ingredients and adequate holding-in-pushing-up power a bikini can become a woman's best friend.

'Whether destined for St Tropez or South End, I hope Anita will provide our customers with the ultimate poser appeal this summer' she added.

St Tropez maybe, but we're not sure if the Anita is quite up to a day out in South End? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.