Last week we remembered the Bastille Day (in Russia it was called «the day of conquering the Bastille» - July 14). It marked the beginning of French Revolution of 1789. It was all about freedom...
July 5, 1946 marks a different date in history. 65 years ago bikini was introduced to the public... and it took the public over by a storm. Well, 65 years ago this was quite revolutionary. It was not just the fashion statement. It is considered a big step in women emancipation fight...
Here is what French fashion historian Olivier Saillard wrote «The emancipation of swimwear has always been linked to the emancipation of women». When you look at bikini, there is no question that it could only come from France, where romantic Frenchmen are either engaged in exquisite sex, or are guillotining next available monarch. So, it was France where it was introduced to the world by ... a car engineer/lingerie store owner Louis Reard. He had trouble finding a model to do it, and ended up hiring a 19-y.o. nude dancer Micheline Bernardini. I am very proud of all those women in bikini, I really am. I also think that with 30 sq. inches of fabric, it was the most efficient economical effort, which made such an impact on societies around the world. I think that maybe we need to trim the expenses by making the government wear bikini. Economical and no problem with transparency... but I digress again... Even the name «Bikini» was not a coincidence. Louis named it "after Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, the site of the Operation Crossroads nuclear weapon tests in July that year».(Click here) The nuclear test and ... bikini... Think about the effect... The effect of a nuke... It was such a hit (especially among men), that Micheline had received over 50,000 letters from fans. In the before-Facebook-and-Twitter-era this was a huge number. I am curious how people would answer if someone on the streets asks them about bikini. Will they talk about a woman's two-piece scanty swimsuit, or talk about Bikini Atoll in the Pacific? Will bikini swimsuit vs. Bikini Atoll remind them of a popular «Make Love, Not War»? But anyway, 65 years ago women conquered their own Bastille and gained freedom... And men lost their heads... those who had it... *Image courtesy of Beercha via Flickr.com under Creative Commons License Ok....so which is more important really? Bikini? Revolution? Depends on the weather maybe? K I too think that this world is a far, far better place thanks to the bikini :-) I do really want to see the government in a bikini but they can reduce their salaries before cutting others possibly? Since I never knew what it was like before bikini (BB) I did not know any better. Women also carried parasols and wore strange wooden frames under dresses. AB or after bikini started in 1946? and still in style? Monika - do not worry. If the governemnt keeps spending like they do, the only thing they would be abe to afford soon will be bikini ;) I am going to feature this because it was an other step in the progress of women's independence. :-) Tchaka - hmm, why is that men are so concerend with women emancipation? ;) Jon, this is interesting and funny. Looks like a nice light Sunday reading. Who would have thought that it is only 65 years ago that bikini came into fashion That definitely does enhance the natural beauty of the ocean, the poolside and definitely this post -lol Well, the photo got my attention, before I finished readying what the article/blog was about. Hello Jon and VB loves the post & PHOTO of the Bikini ... ;o) I am in for voting yes! VB ;o) Bob - so far only men are willing to celebrate. Isn't it strange that we are the ones willing to note thefight for emancipation? I KNEW it was going to be a BRA comment - On TRHWOBH last night, CRAZY Kim took off her bra in the limo going to a launch party - how far we have come....and GONE!
Hmm, looking at bikini, for some strange reason fight is the last thing that comes to my mind ...but I digress.
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