Let us take you back to the sunny Summer days of 1971 Saint Tropez, when Fred Prysquel imagined what would become the luxury swimwear brand, Vilebrequin.
Inspired by the legendary Saint Tropez lifestyle: from the sailors to the vacationers, painters on the quayside and buzz around the iconic Brigitte Bardot, Fred Prysquel sketched on a tablecloth the first design for the swim shorts.
A fan of motor cars and inspired by the metal staircase in the brand’s first shop, Prysquel named the brand Vilebrequin, the French word for crankshaft.
Prysquel living surrounded by the world of sailing in Saint Tropez, designed his shorts out of spinnaker sailcloth. This unique textile usually used as both boat sails and high-flying kites, is characterized by its quick-dry in the sun and wind, and was the perfect material for the new swimwear line. Top that with the vibrant colours, freshness, design and elegant originality, the brand an instant success.
Since the very beginning in Saint Tropez beaches, everyone was seduced by its relaxed, cool and chic look. The sharp and fine cut, the bright and colorful motifs and the turtle insignia which personalized the spirit of Saint Tropez have turned it into a must-have beach item, not only for fashionistas but also to classys on holiday.
However, over the years the patterns and colors of Vilebrequin shorts have been constantly re-imagined. The most classical cut, the Moorea, today is a classic for sailing and seaside lifestyle. And who doesn’t love the family editions? The father and son matching shorts appear on the pages of magazines every father’s day as ‘the’ perfect gift. But we’re fans of the new water-reactive prints. Think appearing sharks, bubbles and turtles when the shorts get wet! Splash!
In Lisbon we have a Vilebrequin shop in tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. It’s impossible not to get into a holiday mood as soon as you enter the shop. You instantly dive into the spirit of 1970s Côte d’Azur with its bright colours and vibrant prints and freshness, leaving you ready for your next summer holiday at the seaside in style.
The 2016 high summer/autumn 2016 men’s look book features British model Ben Allen and the range takes inspiration from 1970s Morocco. We’re still waiting for a future Lisbon collection!
