Seventy years ago, a Frenchman Louis Réard went from being an automobile engineer to a swimwear fashion designer.....(as the French do). He took over his mother's lingerie business and launched the Réard Paris swimwear and resort brand which (in 1946) fast became iconic for famously creating the first two-piece swimsuit — today known as the ‘bikini’....
But alas, the company ended shortly after his death in 1984...
Fast forward to 2017 in Coco Chanel's apartment on 29 rue du Faubourg St Honoré to be precise is where I met with entrepreneur Richard Emanuel, who has taken ownership of the brand and decided to breathe life back into Réard with styles based on the original designs yet adapting to today's modern elegance (thanks to the fabulous creative director Celine Adler who's worked before with Chloe and Nina Ricci). See my video interview...
The showing of Réard's capsule collection was presented in the form of swimwear models hanging out in Coco Chanel's apartment, some lounging along the sun-filled windowsills while others attempting to play ping-pong and foosball.... (follow me on Instagram for more coverage!)
Arriving at the Réard viewing in Coco Chanel's apartment with close Canadian friend Brianna...
