Vilebrequin Our History
Vilebrequin Saint Tropez 1971

Our History

Vilebrequin has never forgotten its heritage: the brand is a product of the joy and freedom of the spirit of St-Tropez in the 1970s. Season after season, Vilebrequin promises elegance on vacation, passing on a lasting idea of casual charm, from father to son and mother to daughter.

A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

Yvette and Fred 1971 Vilebrequin
Somewhere on the road from Nîmes to St-Tropez, Yvette and Fred met, fell in love and opened their very first store. The year was 1971. Yvette had spent most of the 60s chasing down the latest fashions for her yé-yé-mad friends. Fueled by his love for motor racing, Fred had been busy seeing the world as a Formula 1 reporter.
First swimwear by Vilebrequin
As he hurried back to get the girl, a wave of freedom was on the horizon. The French Riviera look tended to be short and fitted, but Fred wanted to pull out all the stops for Yvette. Fred was ready to debut his Moorea trunks on the sands of St-Tropez. Stars and friends instantly wanted in. Yvette took no convincing. There was no stopping them.

VILEBREQUIN TIMELINE

Choose a decade
  • 1971 Fred Prysquel creates Vilebrequin
  • 1976 Fred Prysquel sponsors Jean-Louis Trintignant
  • 1979 Yvette and Fred register the trademark
  • 1990 The founders sell the brand
  • 1992 Launch of the iconic Moorea swim short
  • 1995 Vilebrequin reference in men’s swim trunks
  • 2000 Vilebrequin turtles
  • 2008 St-Barth store
  • 2012 Roland Herlory
  • 2013 Launch of the women’s line
  • 2016 Te mana o te moana
  • 2016 Collaboration Massimo Vitali
  • 2019 Launch of the Denim capsule
  • 2018 Vilebrequin is committed to the RED organization
  • 2019 Recycled Man swimwear
  • 2019 Collaboration Vilebrequin  X JC de Castelbajac
  • 2021 Vilebrequin 50th anniversary
  • 2019 Collaboration Vilebrequin  X OFF-WHITE™

1971

Yvette et Fred register the trademark Vilebrequin. In their first store in St-Tropez, the spiral staircase reminds Fred of the shape of a “Vilebrequin” (French for “crankshaft”). This piece, found at the heart of a motor car engine, gave him the idea for the brand name and the shape of the original logo.
Fred Prysquel creates Vilebrequin

1976

Fred Prysquel sponsors French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant who enters in the Rallye du Var with his Opel Kadett GT/E.
Fred Prysquel sponsors Jean-Louis Trintignant

1979

Yvette and Fred register the trademark in the United States and set off to conquer the world.
Vilebrequin storefront in the United States

1990

The founders decide to sell the brand. Vilebrequin embarks on a new journey.
The founders sell the brand

1992

Loïc Berthet acquires the brand and launches the iconic Moorea swim short.
Launch of the iconic Moorea swim short

1995

Over the years, Vilebrequin innovates with design and materials. The luxury swimwear brand becomes the reference in men’s swimwear. Vilebrequin introduces the ‘father and son’ concept back in the 90s. Fun, family and fantasy have continued to shine through in our collections ever since.
Vilebrequin reference in men’s swim trunks

2000

First appearance of the sea turtle, now an icon of the brand.
Vilebrequin turtles

2008

Opening of the first store in St. Barths.
St-Barth store

2012

G-III Apparel Group, the leading American clothing company behind licenses and property brands (DKNY, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld Paris) acquires Vilebrequin. Having previously spent 20 years at Hermès, Roland Herlory joins Vilebrequin as Chief Executive Officer.
Roland Herlory

2013

Launch of the women’s line: a wide range of inclusive women's luxury swimwear in new fabrics, cuts, shades, and prints.
Launch of the women’s line

2016

Since 2016, Vilebrequin remains committed to helping Polynesian nonprofit Te Mana O Te Moana save sea turtles. Every year, the organization rescues turtles, providing them with the care needed before releasing them back into the wild. In 2016 and 2017, Vilebrequin donated over $ 50,000 from sales of the «World Map Dots» swimsuit.
Te mana o te moana X Vilebrequin

2016

Vilebrequin collaborates with photographer Massimo Vitali to create a unique technical swimsuit with a 360° print.
Massimo Vitali X Vilebrequin

2019

Launch of the Denim Capsule and re-release of the original 1971 Vilebrequin logo.
Launch of the Denim capsule

2018

Vilebrequin joins forces with nonprofit organization RED to help stop the tide on AIDS. $15 from the purchase price of every (Vilebrequin)RED swimwear goes directly to supporting work on the ground in sub-Saharan Africa through the Global Fund.
Vilebrequin is committed to the RED organization

2019

A new generation of shorts, stretch swimwear, sustainably made using 100% recycled polyester yarn from plastic waste recovered by Mediterranean fishing boats. For every MAN swimsuit made, 200g of plastic is removed from the oceans.
Recycled Man swimwear

2019

For this collection, legendary French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac revisits the fresh and carefree spirit of the 70s – an aesthetic that’s never felt more relevant. A limited edition that’s pop, sensual and ultra-refined.
Collaboration Vilebrequin  X JC de Castelbajac

2021

Vilebrequin celebrates turning 50 with the launch of an exclusive anniversary collection of collector’s edition luxury swimsuits.
Vilebrequin 50th anniversary

2019

Vilebrequin and Off-White present a limited drop of five swimsuit styles available at selected doors worldwide. The swimsuits highlight the perfectly tailored yet casual charm of Vilebrequin and bold, counterculture aesthetic of Off-White.
Collaboration Vilebrequin  X OFF-WHITE™
    Fred Prysquel creates Vilebrequin

    1971

    Yvette et Fred register the trademark Vilebrequin. In their first store in St-Tropez, the spiral staircase reminds Fred of the shape of a “Vilebrequin” (French for “crankshaft”). This piece, found at the heart of a motor car engine, gave him the idea for the brand name and the shape of the original logo.
    Fred Prysquel sponsors Jean-Louis Trintignant

    1976

    Fred Prysquel sponsors French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant who enters in the Rallye du Var with his Opel Kadett GT/E.
    Vilebrequin storefront in the United States

    1979

    Yvette and Fred register the trademark in the United States and set off to conquer the world.
    The founders sell the brand

    1990

    The founders decide to sell the brand. Vilebrequin embarks on a new journey.
    Launch of the iconic Moorea swim short

    1992

    Loïc Berthet acquires the brand and launches the iconic Moorea swim short.
    Vilebrequin reference in men’s swim trunks

    1995

    Over the years, Vilebrequin innovates with design and materials. The luxury swimwear brand becomes the reference in men’s swimwear. Vilebrequin introduces the ‘father and son’ concept back in the 90s. Fun, family and fantasy have continued to shine through in our collections ever since.
    Vilebrequin turtles

    2000

    First appearance of the sea turtle, now an icon of the brand.
    St-Barth store

    2008

    Opening of the first store in St. Barths.
    Roland Herlory

    2012

    G-III Apparel Group, the leading American clothing company behind licenses and property brands (DKNY, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld Paris) acquires Vilebrequin. Having previously spent 20 years at Hermès, Roland Herlory joins Vilebrequin as Chief Executive Officer.
    Launch of the women’s line

    2013

    Launch of the women’s line: a wide range of inclusive women's luxury swimwear in new fabrics, cuts, shades, and prints.
    Te mana o te moana X Vilebrequin

    2016

    Since 2016, Vilebrequin remains committed to helping Polynesian nonprofit Te Mana O Te Moana save sea turtles. Every year, the organization rescues turtles, providing them with the care needed before releasing them back into the wild. In 2016 and 2017, Vilebrequin donated over $ 50,000 from sales of the «World Map Dots» swimsuit.
    Massimo Vitali X Vilebrequin

    2016

    Vilebrequin collaborates with photographer Massimo Vitali to create a unique technical swimsuit with a 360° print.
    Launch of the Denim capsule

    2019

    Launch of the Denim Capsule and re-release of the original 1971 Vilebrequin logo.
    Vilebrequin is committed to the RED organization

    2018

    Vilebrequin joins forces with nonprofit organization RED to help stop the tide on AIDS. $15 from the purchase price of every (Vilebrequin)RED swimwear goes directly to supporting work on the ground in sub-Saharan Africa through the Global Fund.
    Recycled Man swimwear

    2019

    A new generation of shorts, stretch swimwear, sustainably made using 100% recycled polyester yarn from plastic waste recovered by Mediterranean fishing boats. For every MAN swimsuit made, 200g of plastic is removed from the oceans.
    Collaboration Vilebrequin  X JC de Castelbajac

    2019

    For this collection, legendary French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac revisits the fresh and carefree spirit of the 70s – an aesthetic that’s never felt more relevant. A limited edition that’s pop, sensual and ultra-refined.
    Vilebrequin 50th anniversary

    2021

    Vilebrequin celebrates turning 50 with the launch of an exclusive anniversary collection of collector’s edition luxury swimsuits.
    Collaboration Vilebrequin  X OFF-WHITE™

    2019

    Vilebrequin and Off-White present a limited drop of five swimsuit styles available at selected doors worldwide. The swimsuits highlight the perfectly tailored yet casual charm of Vilebrequin and bold, counterculture aesthetic of Off-White.