In the decades the bikini has been around, it's become an iconic piece of fashion. From retro Brigitte Bardot's days on the Cote d'Azur, to the $30 million dollar bikinis of 2008, the two piece swimsuits have changed dramatically despite their basic design principal.
The first image shows designs from the Hosa Cup 4th China Swimwear Design Contest in March. The gallery also highlights the evolution of the bikini, following it from the creation of the first two-piece bathing suit in 1946 to futuristic designs of the future, such as the solar powered bikini. Included are retro movie photos such as BB in the 1950s flick, 'And God Created Woman' and the original Bond bombshell, Ursula Andress in the 1962 James Bond 'Dr. No.' movie. Also featured is a 1964 Sports Illustrated cover, followed by Raquel Welch in the 1966 movie In One Million Years BC and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in 1983 as well as a few modern day celeb bikini shots. The gallery ends with two of today's hottest supermodels, Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss.
The Evolution of the Bikini in Photos
From the 1950s to the Future
Trend Themes
1. Bikini Design Evolution - Designers can create new variations and materials for bikinis that cater to specific body types and offer more functionality and sustainability.
2. Incorporating Technology in Bikini Design - Incorporating solar panels, Bluetooth technology, and other smart features into bikinis can allow for personalization and convenience.
3. Nostalgic and Retro Bikinis - Fashion designers can tap into nostalgia by creating bikinis inspired by previous decades, such as high-waisted bikinis and retro prints.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - Designers and fashion brands are continually revamping bikini designs to appeal to customers and provide a unique selling point.
2. Swimwear Industry - Innovations in materials and design can disrupt the current swimwear industry and offer consumers new options.
3. Technology Industry - Incorporating technology into swimwear creates opportunities for tech companies to collaborate with fashion designers and create new products.