Legacy of Swimwear

The bikini, now a staple of swimwear, has a rich history that traces back to ancient Rome, where mosaics depict women in two-piece garments. However, the modern bikini was officially introduced in 1946 by French designers Jacques Heim and Louis Réard. Initially met with scandal and resistance—culminating in bans and controversy—the bikini gained mainstream acceptance through cultural icons like Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress in the 1950s and 1960s.

Over the decades, evolving from taboo to trend, it has adapted with styles such as the microkini and tankini, reflecting shifting social norms and becoming a symbol of both fashion and freedom.

  • Mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily, Italy.

  • Ginger Rogers in 
“Gold Diggers of 1933.”

  • Micheline Bernardini models one 
of the first modern bikinis in 1946.

  • Kiki Hakansson at Miss World 1951 in London.

  • Bikini model in the 1960s.

  • Carrie Fisher on the set of 
“Return of the Jedi.”

  • Ursula Andress in “Dr. No.” 1960.

  • Eva Herzigova wearing Chanel’s Infamous Micro-Bikini

  • Luli Fama at Swim Week 2016.

  • Isabeli Fontana at Miami Swim Week 2020.

  • Acacia at PARAISO Miami Swim Week 2024.