By Josie Moyer
June 1, 2016
Seventy years ago, two French designers introduced the teeny-weeny bathing suit that revolutionized swim fashion.
The bikini as we know it got its start in the summer of 1946 when two French designers separately introduced their two-piece creations. Jacques Helm, a fashion designer, and Louis Réard, a mechanical engineer and son of lingerie shop owners, unveiled the concept of the two-piece bathing suit just months apart.
Helm called his minuscule creation the “Atome,” the French word for atom, which also translates as “something tiny, very small amount.” Helm hired a skywriter to write: “Atome, the World’s Smallest Bathing Suit” in the sky. Not to be outdone, Réard unveiled an even smaller suit he called the “bikini.” It was oddly named after the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where an atomic bomb was tested just four days prior. Réard boasted that his bikini was so small it could be pulled through a wedding ring.
When the bikini first arrived, its revealing cut scandalized even the French fashion models who were supposed to wear it. They refused, and Réard had to hire a nude dancer for its unveiling. France and much of mainstream Europe were shocked, and the bikini was promptly banned on Italian and Spanish beaches.
Fast-forward to 2016. The two-piece swimsuit has come a long way since its scandalous origins 70 years ago. These days, if the sight of a bonita island girl in a cheeky bikini raises an eyebrow, it’s a response born of admiration and appreciation, as opposed to shock or scandal.
Suns Out Buns Out
Bringing the bikini back to its Pacific roots, Chamorrita Swimwear is the first locally-owned swimwear line that is designed on Guam. Owner and designer Sandrine Cruz Stewart launched Chamorrita Swimwear in 2011, a “cheeky” collection designed and inspired by Stewart’s love of Guam and the Marianas. The bikinis themselves are named after various Guam beaches and villages.
Using quality fabric from France and cut for minimal coverage, Chamorrita Swimwear blends the Italian low cut and the flirty Brazilian fit, creating a tailored fit to enhance the natural beauties of the island. The collection of itsy-bitsy bikinis is available in an array of island-inspired colors and prints, some trimmed with natural tropical elements such as coconut and mother-of-pearl shells. The collection also features apparel, accessories and a limited men’s line of board shorts and t-shirts.
Since its launch in 2011, Chamorrita Swimwear has gained local and international media attention and social media popularity. Chamorrita Swimwear opened its first boutique this year at The Plaza Shopping center in Tumon. The company is also an advocate for local talent, artists and products and serves as a platform for local models, photographers, and craftsmen. Visit them at The Plaza or online at chamorritaswimwear.com.
