Looking back, the uproar over the revealing outfits at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival feels somewhat ironic. While the red carpet is known for its strict dress code—often leaving stars like Bella Hadid and Dakota Johnson at the mercy of traditionalist critics for wearing sheer, sexy designs—it was Cannes that first brought the bikini into the public eye.
Though two-piece swimwear dates back to ancient times, the modern bikini—cut like lingerie—is a 20th-century creation. Both designer Jacques Heim and engineer Louis Réard claimed to have introduced it on the French Riviera in 1946. Regardless of who was first, the bikini emerged from a post-war shift toward freedom, as sunbathing and showing skin became more acceptable among progressive youth.
The style faced resistance elsewhere, banned in several countries and condemned by religious authorities. It was Cannes—and Brigitte Bardot—that helped change that. In 1953, the 18-year-old Bardot caused a global stir by posing on the beach in a tropical-print bikini. Onlookers were shocked; one woman watched in disbelief while dressed in a coat and full-length skirt. For many, it seemed a scandalous display—though undoubtedly captivating.
Bardot’s beach photos were part of a promotional campaign for her film Marina, but they also boosted Cannes’ profile. The impact was explosive; fashion editor Diana Vreeland called the bikini “the most important thing since the atom bomb.” Bardot’s influence helped popularize the swimsuit through the 1950s and beyond, setting a trend for stars like Anita Ekberg and Sophia Loren at Cannes.
Today, Bardot’s bikini seems surprisingly modest compared to modern styles. What once sparked outrage now barely raises an eyebrow, as seen when Irina Shayk and Iris Law walked the Croisette in lingerie-inspired looks without causing much fuss.In 2025, a confident Kristen Stewart wears sheer, candy-pink Chanel with pastel undergarments visible beneath. The only thing that might stir up Bardot-level excitement would be a celebrity—likely Julia Fox—walking the red carpet wearing nothing but Pleasers heels. Or perhaps stars posing on a French beach with their heads and bodies completely covered—a practice that, in a strangely backward twist, was actually illegal until 2016. That culture can benefit from challenging such outdated dress codes is a lesson worth repeating.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs How Brigitte Bardot Popularized the Bikini
Q Who is Brigitte Bardot and why is she linked to bikinis
A Brigitte Bardot was a major French film star and fashion icon in the 1950s and 60s She is famously linked to bikinis because she wore them frequently in her films and during highly publicized beach outings making the twopiece swimsuit a symbol of youthful freedom and glamour
Q Was Brigitte Bardot the first person to wear a bikini
A No The modern bikini was invented by French designer Louis Réard in 1946 However it was considered scandalous and was banned in many places Bardot didnt invent it but she was the first major celebrity to embrace it openly and make it fashionable for the mainstream public
Q How exactly did she make the bikini popular
A Through her films and personal life Her role in the 1956 film And God Created Woman featured her in casual revealing outfits including bikinis which captivated audiences Paparazzi photos of her on the beaches of the French Riviera in bikinis were published worldwide normalizing the look and associating it with beauty confidence and a carefree lifestyle
Q What was the cultural impact of her wearing bikinis
A Bardot helped shift the bikini from a controversial garment to a mainstream fashion staple She challenged conservative postwar norms about womens bodies and fashion helping to spark a sexual and cultural revolution Her influence made the bikini acceptable for everyday women and cemented its place in swimwear and pop culture
Q Were there other celebrities involved in popularizing the bikini
A Yes other actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth were photographed in similar twopieces earlier However Bardots impact was unique because of her specific gamine yet sensual persona and her association with the trendy French Riviera which created a powerful and enduring fashion moment
Q Did she face any backlash for wearing bikinis
A Initially yes The Catholic Church and many conservative groups condemned the bikini as immoral However Bardots immense popularity and the changing social attitudes of the 1950s and 60s meant that her style ultimately