Diana Vreeland called the bikini “the most important thing since the discovery of the atomic bomb.” Between censorship and emancipation, we look back at the history of the vacation essential, which hasn't stopped making waves since its creation almost 80 years ago. We can't help but thing of the staple with on deck.
After taking over Manhattan and the stage of London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, this colorful fashion show descends upon the legendary Place Vendôme on June 23. This year's show is all about sport and fashion. On the catwalk, we're expecting bouncy sportswear silhouettes, with cool jogging suits, smart polo shirts, mini tennis skirts, and athletic swimsuits.
And why not a few couture bikinis? 78 years after its creation, the two-piece swimsuit has lost none of its charm (or scandalous aura!) Never before in the history of fashion has a little piece of fabric caused such a stir. Let's rewind. Since the mid-19th century, bathing suits have been soaked in the waters of Normandy or Biarritz, cherished by the sea-bathing aristocracy.
But one summer day in 1946, a Frenchman shook things up. Inspired by the first American nuclear test on Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, Louis Réard, an automotive engineer turned textile manufacturer, had the idea of dropping a bomb in post-war France. And that bomb was the bikini, named after the famous atoll.
An ultra-minimalist swimsuit, it was unveiled at the Molitor pool in Paris on the body of Casino de Paris nude dancer Micheli.