The Bikini: A Revolutionary Garment Emerges

On July 5, 1946, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in fashion history with the introduction of the first modern bikini, marking the beginning of a swimsuit revolution. Vogue.ua delves into the origins of this iconic piece that remains relevant to this day.

In the mid-1940s, women predominantly wore conservative one-piece swimsuits, limiting their tanning possibilities. It was during this era that French engineer Louis Réard noticed beachgoers attempting to roll up their swimsuit bottoms for better sun exposure. Inspired by this, Réard envisioned a swimsuit that boldly exposed the midriff. He devised an innovative design consisting of four small triangles, totaling a mere 30 square inches of fabric.

The designer unveiled his creation on July 5, 1946, at the Piscine Molitor in Paris, with dancer Micheline Bernardini modeling the daring two-piece. Named "bikini," the swimsuit's moniker was inspired by the recent American nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll—Réard aimed for his invention to be as explosive and revolutionary. The debut of the bikini caused a sensation, challenging societal norms and reshaping fashion history.

Initially banned on beaches in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, it took over a decade for the bikini to gain widespread acceptance. The turning point came in the 1950s when French actress and mid-20th-century sex symbol Brigitte Bardot boldly appeared in a revealing bikini on the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. Bardot further cemented the bikini's allure by portraying a youthful Juliette in Roger Vadim's film "And God Created Woman," showcasing the garment as both sensual and fashionable. This role catapulted Bardot to international fame and significantly contributed to the bikini's popularization.

Bardot was not alone in flaunting the figure-flattering bikini on screen. Following "And God Created Woman," a wave of films featured actresses confidently sporting bikinis. In 1953, Marilyn Monroe famously wore a bikini in "Niagara," while Ursula Andress made a memorable entrance in a white bikini in the 1962 James Bond film "Dr. No." Raquel Welch followed suit in "One Million Years B.C." four years later, solidifying the bikini as an essential beachwear item.

By the 1960s, women embraced the mini-bikini without hesitation, replacing traditional one-piece swimsuits with nylon and Lycra blends that maintained shape, dried quickly, and resisted fading in the sun. The mini-bikini remains a staple in swimwear fashion to this day.