Based in Le Cannet (Alpes-Maritimes), Luc and Alexandra Dessauvages have created a brand of swimsuits like no other. Floral and colorful in the spirit of the towns of the Côte d'Azur, their beachwear is tan-through. According to the creators, they allow you to obtain a harmonious tan without any demarcation.
Marks on suspenders, t-shirts, swimsuits, shorts... If summer rhymes with sun, tan lines are often inevitable. They are often considered unsightly. This is in any case the opinion of Luc Dessauvages and his wife Alexandra. To remedy this problem, the couple living in Le Cannet (Alpes-Maritimes) decided to create their own brand of "trans-tanning" swimsuits . According to them, they allow you to take on color without leaving any demarcation.
A selection of UV rays
"The material we use has a very tight mesh. It selects the harmful rays to let only the tanning rays through," the 56-year-old explains. More precisely, the fabric only lets through "8% of UV-B and 20% of UV-A, which allows for a slight pigmentation of the skin." According to the creator of "Bikunu," there is no risk of getting sunburned . "It's the equivalent of SPF 10 protection. White skin will turn pink at first, but there will be no burn." A promise that does not prevent the user from applying sunscreen to the exposed parts in order to be better protected .
Before creating their range of beachwear, the couple tested several brands of tan-transmitting swimsuits. "We have long sought to obtain an even tan while protecting ourselves from the sun. But most manufacturers only offered fabrics that resembled fishing nets ," sighs the father. "This does not protect our skin from all the rays and it reveals the details of our anatomy..."
A clientele aged between 35 and 55 years old
In 2021, the entrepreneurs came across an article about a patented, labeled technical textile made in Europe. "We carried out several tests on ourselves and they were very conclusive." They then decided to launch and think about their first collection, which went online in May 2022. Two-pieces, pareos, dresses for women, beach shorts for men... No fewer than 800 pieces are available on their site . All the models are very colorful and flowery. "We are attracted to the flowers and colors of the Côte d'Azur towns... We wanted our collection to reflect us."
According to Luc Dessauvages, demand is already there. "We have restarted production urgently because some models are already out of stock." Most of their customers are between 35 and 55 years old. "They are often people who are concerned about their appearance and who do not want to have tan lines on their bodies."
Almost €100 for a swimsuit
To buy a women's swimsuit, you have to pay €95. Men's swimsuits are listed at €20 less. Production is carried out exclusively in France, says Nice-Matin , which spotted their beachwear brand . "We work with a workshop in Nice, one in Vence and one near Nantes. We wanted to promote inclusion, so some sites employ people with disabilities," the fifty-year-old tells us.
After a "successful" launch, the creators of "Bikunu" already have plenty of projects in mind. They will continue to develop new models. "We are also increasingly solicited by boutiques located on the Côte d'Azur. They ask us to design collections for their brand." The couple is also working on a range intended for yacht crews and beach staff. "We are also developing partnerships with sportswear brands such as cycling, running, hiking, yoga, etc.," says Luc Dessauvages.
Source: Ouest-France
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