12 FEBRUARY 2026
THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF MISTRAL
An embroidered swimsuit requires specific expertise: eight different stages and several months of work before it is ready to join your suitcase.
NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION
MISTRAL
LIMITED
EDITION
Without a doubt, the one thing Vilebrequin knew it had to invest in was embroidery. Seeing motifs come to life through colour, texture and volume, is a dream come true.
BOLDNESS AND TRADITION
THE ORIGIN
OF MISTRAL
True to its St. Tropez roots, Vilebrequin named its embroidered, collector's edition swimsuit after the famous French south wind, which is capable of clearing the sky in the blink of an eye, leaving.. pure sunshine. Vilebrequin's Mistral swimsuit has brought an air of boldness and freedom to the brand's exclusive fabrics and prints since 2007. The St. Tropez-based swimsuit brand has turned to the most qualified experts, who are true masters of embroidery. There are only four ateliers in the world that embroider Vilebrequin swimsuits for men. The youngest has been in business for 40 years, while the oldest has been operating for 260 years! To say they are skilled at their craft is an understatement.
SINCE 1971
ELEGANCE
HOLIDAYS
Originally limited to a few styles, today this embroidered swim shorts for men is available in a wide array of prints, while always remaining true to a spirit of exclusivity. A Mistral swimsuit is produced in a limited run of no more than 299 individual pieces. Don't bother searching for the 300th; it is kept under lock and key in the Vilebrequin archives. Each numbered swim shorts is luxurious, down to its sterling-silver tips.
BOLDNESS AND TRADITION
THE SPIRIT
OF MISTRAL
LIMITED EDITION
The number of each swimsuit is stitched on
the inner label.
THE TIPS
Engraved with the name of the brand, the
Mistral tips are in solid silver.
EMBROIDERY
A true art of yarn worked by the best
craftsmen in specialized ateliers.EXPERTISE
Creating an all-over embroidered swimsuit takes forty-five steps. Each step is quite tricky, requiring specialised expertise. In total, it takes more than a year from a Mistral swimsuit's conception until its appearance on the beach. A boatload of patience for this holiday showpiece. Once all these steps are completed, the swim shorts is numbered before undergoing one final, rigorous quality check. Only then is this must-have swimsuit ready to wear on all aquatic adventures.
THE DESIGN
THE DESIGN STAGE
Each season, Vilebrequin's studio creates exclusive prints for every men's swimsuit. Only a select few will be featured on Mistral swimsuit styles.
TECHNICAL INTERPRETATION
Each embroidery atelier reworks and interprets a print through the medium of thread, based on the print technical characteristics regarding stitch, yarn, etc. This art form requires a perfect knowledge ofthe craft.
PROGRAMMING
An essential and complex step. The slightest change in the number or choice of a colour or thread spacing results will necessitate reprogramming.MANUFACTURING
WEAVING
Metres of exclusive fabrics are made as a backdrop to the embroidery. These are sent to the ateliers in charge of producing Mistral men's swimsuits.
SAMPLES
From theory to practice: creating a sample can take many long hours. At the end, the final embroidery is seen for the first time. Once approved by Vilebrequin's studio, it enters into the collection.
PRODUCTION
For hours and days, hundreds of needles work together in unison on a single motif, with each loom measuring up to 21 metres in length. At each machine, an expert spinner keeps a close eye on things. Five-to-six years of experience are required to be considered a consummate professional.FINISHING
QUALITY CONTROL
An unforgiving step. All embroideries are scrutinised, down to the tiniest detail, on the front and back; itis especially necessary to evaluate an embroidery's underside. Particulariy since it will be worn next to the skin.
PLACED ON A STENTER MACHINE
Embroidery slightly creases the fabric. In order to leave the atelier in an immaculate condition, it is placed on a stenter machine, a kind of giant ironing board.
MANUFACTURING
The embroiderer passes the baton to the garment factory, where theswimsuit is cut and assembled.