Louis Réard is considered the inventor of the bikini, which he presented to the public on 5 July 1946. His slogan was "smaller than the smallest swimming costume in the world". His competitor Jacques Heim had presented the smallest swimming costume shortly before - in May 1946 - and called it "Atome". At the time, nuclear tests were being carried out by the French on the Bikini Atoll. To counter his competitor Heim, Réard quickly named his invention 'Bikini'.

To promote the Bikini, Réard commissioned coachbuilder Henri Chapron to construct an eye-catching advertising vehicle that looked like a street yacht. The design created by Henri Chapron was absolutely stunning with a real bow, a boat cabin with portholes and a stern deck with the mast of a boat where the mannequins showed the bikini to the public. Originally, this very special body was built by Henri Chapron on the chassis of an 866 Hotchkiss, but the engine was not powerful enough for the heavy car. The Hotchkiss chassis was therefore replaced in 1950 by that of a 1937 Packard Super Eight (PERFEX208). 

Réard's bikini was controversial because it was the first 'swimming costume' to keep the navel uncovered. In many countries, the bikini was even banned on beaches and in public places under penalty of law. It was only when film stars started wearing bikinis in films that this piece of jewellery was slowly integrated into our culture. Seen from today's perspective.