OH MY BIKINI! The swimwear legend turns 70

29 June 2016

It may well be one of the most iconic and talked-about garments in a woman's wardrobe - and yet has only been around for a mere seven decades.

At once seductive and empowering, the bikini has moved beyond the sartorial sphere to reflect societal shifts as much as evolving trends. A fascinating book by expert duo Ghislaine Rayer and Patrice Gaulupeau takes on this summertime hero by going back to where it all started, as two special exhbitions promise to shine a further light on the bikini legend.

How it all started

As with many classic fashion stories, this particular tale started in beautiful Paris. Tucked away in the southwest corner of the French capital, the Piscine Molitor, first opened in 1929, had been hosting the Fete de l'Eau throughout the 1930s and 1940s, a sought-after society event and must-attend appointment for the entire swimwear industry. July 5th, 1946 would eventually become a key date in fashion history, unbeknownst to everyone at the time save one man: Louis Réard. This knitwear manufacturer and innovator had been experimenting with swimwear silhouettes until he found the perfect formula: a head-turning two-piece style - the smallest bathing suit ever designed - named after the Pacific atoll that would become a nuclear testing site. Contrary to popular belief, this explosive mix failed to detonate that day as it made its official debut at the Piscine; while most of the press largely ignored the story, the few fashion publications who didn't weren't so kind on Mr Réard's creation. Deemed vulgar and unsuitable, the bikini would have remained completely unheard of had it not been for the few rumors and elaborate lies spread by its marketing-savvy inventor. Was it really sold under the counter in matchboxes? Did it really retail in boutiques worldwide from London to LA? While the little white lies circulated, the bikini slowly established itself as a summer essential as more and more women around the world made it their go-to swimming garment. Now as ubiquitous as jeans and sneakers, the bikini is a bona fide icon, a bastion of popular culture, a vehicle of female empowerment and a weapon of mass seduction all at once.

A MUST-HAVE BOOK AND A SEASON OF CELEBRATIONS

To honor this legendary garment in style, this summer will see a host of special events and the publishing of an exciting retrospective book. Armed with their extensive knowledge of the industry, their impressive 5,000-piece collection and two years' worth of research on the matter, French duo Ghislaine Rayer and Patrice Gaulupeau have penned Le Mystère Bikini (published by Michel Lafon), an insightful tell-all book to reestablish the truth on the often misremembered history of the bikini. Complete with stunning photographs featuring the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Ursula Andress and Bettie Page, this is the ultimate bikini bible for all swimwear enthusiasts. Together with the book, the Sucrière, in Mode City and Interfilière’s new home for 2016 Lyon, hosted a special exhibition from July 9th to July 24th for which Ghislaine and Patrice gathered some of their most special archive pieces; meanwhile in the French capital, the St Joseph gallery showed a selection of archive photographs, on display throughout to summer until August 31st. Later this year, the Mare di Moda show in Cannes will keep the party alive with Bikonic, a special nod to 70 years of fashion in two pieces via an exciting line-up of exclusive vintage styles.