Mermaidcore’s Comeback in Arts & Culture

Astrid Jensen May 26, 2023 Culture

Mermaidcore: The Return of Aquatic Glamour

The latest live-action blockbuster from Disney, The Little Mermaid, features a resurgence of “mermaidcore” – the representation of aquatic glamour and beauty. Since antiquity, mermaids have fascinated humans with their inscrutable nature and alluring appearance. These half-fish, half-woman figures have been a part of mythology from around the world, from the sirens of the Aegean to the Mami Wata of Africa. Mermaid sightings were reported throughout the 1800s, including hoaxes like P.T. Barnum’s Feejee mermaid.

In the early 1900s, mermaids moved from the water to the stage and silent screen, and what could be called the first mermaidcore emerged. One notable production was Neptune’s Daughter, staged at New York’s Hippodrome in 1906, featuring actresses diving into a clear tank of water. The effect was so impressive that the show became an instant hit, with a silent film production following in 1914. The film starred champion swimmer and actress Annette Kellerman, known as “the Australian Mermaid”.

The Role of Swimming in Women’s Liberation

Swimming was considered a masculine activity until women began to compete in the sport. In the early 1900s, Kellerman campaigned for women’s swimwear to become more practical, encouraging women to abandon their cumbersome bathing costumes for a close-fitting, sleeveless outfit that left no room for skirts. Her efforts culminated in the popularization of the Kellerman swimsuit, which allowed for greater mobility in the water.

Kellerman’s career as a movie star began with her appearance in two Vitagraph shorts in 1911, which featured her swimwear in a fantastical way. Kellerman’s fame grew as audiences were captivated by her “perfectly formed” figure, which inspired women to emulate her. By the time Kellerman’s film career ended in the 1920s, most women had adopted the Kellerman swimsuit.

The Influence of Mermaidcore on Women’s Fashion and Sport

Mermaidcore is not solely responsible for opening up swimming to women, but it undoubtedly played a significant role in empowering women through fashion and sport. It allowed women to transform their reality on land by pushing societal norms and expectations. The glamour of mermaidcore can still inspire us today, as Kellerman once said, “to become a mermaid is to simply see a woman make a fish out of herself.”