Happy Birthday, bikini! Summer is in full effect and we’re paying homage to beach season with a tribute to our sexiest friend. Born from designer Louise Réard in Paris in 1946, the bikini changed the face of popular culture forever. In addition to making icons of actresses like Brigitte Bardot and heroines of the many Bond girls, the two-piece established Marilyn Monroe and Betty Paige as pin-up babes, inspired the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and adorned our fave supermodels from the 90s (think Tyra, Cindy, Naomi, Christy). Here’s to you, bikini! Check out some of our favorite shots from the archives below.
