A daring two-piece swimsuit was unveiled by French designer Louis Reard at Piscine Molitor on July 5, 1946. The name bikini was inspired by a news- making U.S atomic test. European women began wearing these suits in the 1930s. In the United States, the swimsuit first appeared during World War II.
In 1946, French designers came up with fashion to match the first war-free summer in years. Reard created a smaller bathing suit and called it the bikini which was named after the Bikini Atoll. Micheline Bernardini exotic dancer modeled his creation. However, his new swimsuit was not welcomed due to public beliefs especially in Spain and Italy. In the 1950s, the swimsuit became popular on European beaches. In the 1960s, Brian Hyland sang "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini" to immortalize the swimsuit. Since then, bikini has continued to become more and more popular.
First two-piece bathing suits consisted of a halter top and shorts in the 1930s
Western Europeans joyously greeted the first war-free summer in 1946.
French designer Reard encountered difficulty in finding model for the debut of his new swimsuit.
Stripper Micheline Bernardini modeled one of the first modern bikinis
The bikini was a hit, especially among men
In 1957, Brigitte Bardot wore bikini and danced in the film "And God Created Woman"
Bikini has continued to become more and more popular
French fashion historian Olivier Saillard believes that the bikini is perhaps the most popular female beachwear around the globe.
