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TOKYO - Want to look like a million this summer? Actually, make that 10 million - yen, that is ($104,000) - with the latest gold-weave swimsuit from Japan.
The one-piece outfit weighs 500g and comes in a halter-neck style to make any poolside sparkle, although its creators advise that the precious metal suit is not designed for frolicking in the water.
The woven product of Tanaka Kinkinzoku, Japan's largest bullion house, and designer Akihiko Izukura is not on sale yet, but a complementary dress will soon go for 30 million yen.
Executive Managing Director Masakazu Tanaka said gold fiber the thickness of a human hair is used in the month-long weaving process of making the swimsuit.
"Our idea was to adorn a woman's whole body very elegantly with jewels. That's how we came up with this swimsuit," he said.
Japan, home to about 40 per cent of global luxury goods, is known for other extravagances such as bullion bathtubs and gold flakes sprinkled on rice.
Model Olga Hlameeva says the golden suit won't leave wearers feeling fleeced.
"This feeling is better than feeling a million diamonds -- it's like swimming in the gold," she said.
- REUTERS
