VILEBREQUIN X  MASSIMO VITALI

Swimwear

In 1971 Mr Fred Prysquel took a seat at famous Café Sénéquier in Saint Tropez. Inspired by the strolling tourists he sketched out a design for swim shorts on the corner of the table cloth. Named after the French word for crankshaft, in homage to his passion for motor racing, the Vilebrequin brand was born. Made from fast-drying spinnaker sailcloth, their stylish design and sheer originality made them an instant success. The colours and motifs of that initial design have constantly been re-imagined and this season its collaboration with renowned Italian photographer Massimo Vitali is inspired. 

Often referred to as "the oldest photographer of the young generation", Vitali is best known for his crowded and colourful beach scenes. Vilebrequin invited Vitali to “transform the beach into an open-air gallery.” For the shoot Vitali chose the island of Porquerolles, just off the French Riviera. "The result is more than a picture on a piece of cloth, it's a little conceptual game played out on a pair of trunks," says Vitali. "I think they will be funny to wear." Vitali's image appears on the brand’s iconic Moorea swimsuit as well as a tote bag. “This project was interesting because it went further than the images I usually make,” Vitali explains. Indeed look closely at the print and you'll notice that some of the bathers are wearing the Vitali print themselves, thus creating an endless sense of illusion. 

The collection is available online and at select Vilebrequin retailers.