Vilebrequin was founded in St Tropez in 1971 by car racing journalist and adventurer, Fred Prysquel, after meeting a woman he desperately wanted to impress. Armed with a pair of scissors, he decided to create a bathing suit that would set him apart from his competitors on the beach. His starting point was the many textiles he had collected during his trips all over the world, especially the strikingly colorful, patterned fabrics he had found in Africa. For the cut he was inspired by the board shorts Californian surfers wore at the time. The look was comfortable and cool, and the results were immediate. 40 years later, the house has grown considerably and now includes lines for women and children, but has always stayed true to its origins.