Medium: Yellow and white wool, cotton, and rubber knit

Date: 1964

Country: USA

Credit: Gift of Rita Wathick and Michael Stoyla - Lily et Cie

Comprised of wool jersey trunks and thin shoulder straps that cross in the front and back, Rudi Gernreich’s “monokini” frees the female body. Introduced in 1964, it instantly became a symbol of the 'Sexual Revolution,' and was banned by the Pope. Gernreich’s vision of a strong, uninhibited modern woman earned him a reputation as a social commentator.

Object Number: 2003.73.1