From a romantic gesture in Saint-Tropez to a sustainable luxury brand worn worldwide, Vilebrequin has become synonymous with redefined elegance at the beach and beyond. Writer Dan Latif explores the brand’s timeless designs, eco-conscious materials, and now, an electric car collaboration with Fiat.

Editor’s Note
This article was originally written in French. The English translation is provided for convenience and is edited for clarity. Please consult a professional translator for further assistance.

The Story of Vilebrequin: Introducing the Swim Trunk

Vilebrequin x Woolmark. Image: Provided.

It’s summer, finally the long-awaited time when we can reveal ourselves. Going to the beach, the pool, or just enjoying a simple seaside outing can quickly become a headache. What to wear before, during, and after the swim? That is the eternal question that needs to be considered in advance to avoid finding yourself in an awkward or embarrassing situation. Here are our tips to stay elegant, even when diving into the ocean.

The must-have item to always carry with you is, of course, the swimsuit. But beware, not just any swimsuit. Once worn, it becomes the only piece of clothing that will attract all eyes, from the most indiscreet, to those of people behind their sunglasses who pretend to be asleep but always have one eye open.

The origin of swim trunks dates back to the 1970s when Fred Prysquel, an automotive journalist, reunited with a former lover in Saint-Tropez. The story has all the ingredients of a love movie, and it’s Roland Herlory, CEO of Vilebrequin, who tells it with passion: “To win this woman back, he decides to make a swimsuit inspired by cotton fabrics he had seen during a stay in Africa.”

A motorsport enthusiast, the founder of Vilebrequin was inspired by an engine part—the crankshaft (in French, vilebrequin)— to name his company.

The result, the Moorea collection, was an elegant mix of patterns, colors, and above all, a swimsuit with a remarkable fit. What was meant to be a romantic gesture transformed into an object of curiosity, if not desire. “Victim of its success, he decided to team up with his first love and produce the famous swimsuit in a series,” says Herlory.

A Heritage of Elegance and Sustainability

Today, Roland Herlory remains just as attentive and committed to preserving the heritage of this brand, once known as the "bathing costume". Beyond its initial function, the swimsuit is “a bearer of memories,” says the president of Vilebrequin. “This object of memory should evoke vacations, and for me, it should last a lifetime,” he affirms.

As surprising as it may seem, “a swimsuit should be like a car: repairable.” Indeed, if the net gets torn, Vilebrequin stores offer clients repairs and replacements for a cost of around twenty euros or USD$25, ensuring the longevity of their most intimate companion.

All the materials used for Vilebrequin swimsuits are made from natural, recycled, and recyclable fibers. Some models are made from industrial fishing nets, others from recycled mineral water bottles from Turin. The thread is Italian, and the weaving is done in France, in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère.

The Vilebrequin Collection: Ever-Evolving and Effortlessly Chic

Wearing a swimsuit is not just about swimming. It is also a seductive asset when you are tanning by the sea. Thus, after swimming, it is customary in yacht clubs to change in order to remain comfortable and presentable at all times.

This is where your spare swimsuit comes into play. The Vilebrequin Woolmark is remarkable for being made from merino wool, which makes it ultra-breathable and capable of keeping you cool. After swimming, it effectively repels water and dries quickly. Moreover, its draping not only gives you an elegant look but also creates the illusion of wearing a bathing tuxedo. That’s only one example of the on-going series of collaborations the brand undertakes each season.

There are also embroidered swimsuits, with raised patterns, silver fittings, and sometimes even gold. These limited editions, numbered inside, are restricted to 199 pieces.

All these details give a beautiful range of colors and a variety of patterns, including the turtle, the emblem of Vilebrequin. More than just a chic swimsuit, the “bathing costume in Saint-Tropez since 1971” takes on its full meaning.

Surprising Collaborations Beyond Swimming

Vilebrequin is not limited to swimsuits alone and even goes the extra mile to dress you from head to toe. Shirts, pants, towels, beach bags, shoes, water shoes (to prevent injuries in the sea), and the brand even offers vintage-style inflatable mattresses.

Vilebrequin even extends to automobiles and launched— in partnership with Fiat— a limited edition of the 500 Topolino electric car, which is built in Morocco. This handmade version of the vehicle comes with a shower head next to the driver's seat, allowing you to rinse your feet before hitting the road.

Fully electric and with no doors, it is an experience. With just a support for a trunk and a retractable roof for driving with the wind in your hair, it’s the ultimate beach cruiser. The Fiat Topolino Vilebrequin can be driven from the age of 14, with a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of 75 km. A luxury microcar that charges in 4 hours on a standard outlet. This special edition, like so many of Vilebrequin’s creations, is limited to 200 units.

The Interior Review’s Vilebrequin Picks

Vilebrequin Vendôme Turtles Swim Trunks: The one you already know, this is Vilebrequin’s Iconic Saint-Tropez style with signature turtle motif. (From $325.00 at Vilebrequin).
Vilebrequin Limited Edition Embroidered “Micro Ronde des Tortues Diagonale”: A numbered collector’s item for those who swim in style, complete with bespoke detailing. (From $690.00 at Vilebrequin).
Vilebrequin x Fiat Topolino Electric Car: A seaside microcar for the sartorially inclined. It also happens to be the only car with a shower included. (From €13,490 or USD$15,810 at Fiat).