Bikini of Dream: How did it come to Life?
Marcis Gasuns
April 20, 2008
Bikini is a curious two piece women´s swimsuit. One part is used to cover the breast, the other covers groins. And there is plenty of other flesh to see, especially if you go for Brazilian bikinis. Although it is hard to surprise anyone with a bikini brazil these days, the invention of modern bikinis in 1946 caused quite a stir. However, the history of Brazilian swimsuit bikini starts a lot earlier.
You may be surprised to learn that ancient Greek women wore dresses that were similar to bikinis. The evidence to that fact can be found in ancient drawings. Some sort of bikinis was worn by a few women in medieval times as well. Fashion may actually be tapping into what our grand-grand-grand relatives wore thousands years ago.
The history of modern bikini in the 20th century was partially related to fabric rationing in the United States of America during the World War II. Fabric rationing meant that less material was left for swimming suits.
However, only in 1946 French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim invented the modern bikini. It was difficult for them to find a model who would agree to advertise the new fad, as society at that time had never heard of a micro bikini. The inventors had to ask a nude dancer to promote their invention. And yet the public was not yet ready for the extremely revealing swimwear.
Moreover, the society was in a deep shock. It was like an atom bomb explosion for the mores of the society. It was believed that no decent girl would ever put on such a thing. People started saying that if there is something that a bikini does not show about the girl that is her mother´s maiden name.
Some years passed and Brazilian bikinis (as well as other types of bikinis) started appearing in movies. Hollywood has an excellent reputation of changing people´s minds about subjects. The same thing happened to the bikini as well.
After a couple of very successful movies and TV series featuring characters in bikinis, society started to be more accepting of them. In Europe it was easier for such micro swimwear to be accepted. Already in late sixties it was not an uncommon sight.
And the US did not lag behind for too long. The 70s saw the advent of the bikinis to the US.
The modern bikini continues its development. There appeared bikinis for men, monokinies (that do not have a top), microkinies that are virtually invisible on a woman. Most people have learnt to accept, admire and even love this revealing and sexy women´s swim outfit.
You may be surprised to learn that ancient Greek women wore dresses that were similar to bikinis. The evidence to that fact can be found in ancient drawings. Some sort of bikinis was worn by a few women in medieval times as well. Fashion may actually be tapping into what our grand-grand-grand relatives wore thousands years ago.
The history of modern bikini in the 20th century was partially related to fabric rationing in the United States of America during the World War II. Fabric rationing meant that less material was left for swimming suits.
However, only in 1946 French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim invented the modern bikini. It was difficult for them to find a model who would agree to advertise the new fad, as society at that time had never heard of a micro bikini. The inventors had to ask a nude dancer to promote their invention. And yet the public was not yet ready for the extremely revealing swimwear.
Moreover, the society was in a deep shock. It was like an atom bomb explosion for the mores of the society. It was believed that no decent girl would ever put on such a thing. People started saying that if there is something that a bikini does not show about the girl that is her mother´s maiden name.
Some years passed and Brazilian bikinis (as well as other types of bikinis) started appearing in movies. Hollywood has an excellent reputation of changing people´s minds about subjects. The same thing happened to the bikini as well.
After a couple of very successful movies and TV series featuring characters in bikinis, society started to be more accepting of them. In Europe it was easier for such micro swimwear to be accepted. Already in late sixties it was not an uncommon sight.
And the US did not lag behind for too long. The 70s saw the advent of the bikinis to the US.
The modern bikini continues its development. There appeared bikinis for men, monokinies (that do not have a top), microkinies that are virtually invisible on a woman. Most people have learnt to accept, admire and even love this revealing and sexy women´s swim outfit.
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