Eres Swimwear | The Art of the Body

“Bikinis are like barbed wire. They protect the property without obstructing the view.” — Unknown

There are swimwear brands, and then there is Eres—a Parisian house whose very name has become shorthand for elegance at the water’s edge. Founded in 1968 by Irène Leroux, the label emerged from a small boutique near Place de la Madeleine and made its debut in the most Parisian of ways: on the heels of student protests and cultural upheaval. At a time when swimsuits were sold only in summer, Eres dared to treat them like couture—available year-round, designed with a precision once reserved for evening gowns.

From the start, Eres was a rule breaker. The brand pioneered mix-and-match separates, allowing women to pair different sizes of tops and bottoms—an innovation that seems obvious now but was radical at the time. At the heart of the line was a fresh philosophy: The Art of the Body. Gone were the wires, pads, and boning that weighed swimsuits down. In their place came sleek fabrics and sculptural cuts that celebrated natural curves and honored freedom of movement.

By the mid-1990s, Eres had already become iconic. In 1996, it joined the Chanel group, a partnership that opened the door to lingerie, resortwear, and beach accessories. Yet through every evolution, the house has remained true to its minimalist DNA: quiet confidence, refined lines, and a whisper of Parisian chic that carries effortlessly from poolside to Riviera terrace.

Innovation & Craftsmanship

If Eres is a sculptor of silhouettes, fabric is its clay. The label’s signature material—Peau Douce, or “soft skin”—is a proprietary Lycra blend that clings like a second skin while offering gentle support. It moves with the body, resisting sun, salt, and chlorine, yet feels as natural as silk. Over the years, Eres has added a vocabulary of other exclusive textiles: Parachute, a feather-light, quick-dry fabric; transparent tulle; luminous jersey; and delicate lace.

Every garment undergoes meticulous scrutiny—stretched, tested, and inspected by hand before it leaves the atelier. Color palettes are dreamed up in Paris; materials are sourced from the mills of France and Italy, with artisanal lace from Spain and occasional specialty textiles from further afield. Production remains centered in Europe, ensuring that each piece carries the imprint of continental craft.

Eres in a C & C Light

Seen through a coastal lens, Eres feels as timeless as driftwood and as polished as a sunlit cocktail hour. The palette leans into the hues of nature—muted sands, seashell whites, lagoon blues, and sun-faded pastels. Cuts are streamlined, silhouettes effortless: a bandeau top slipped under a linen shirt, a one-piece that doubles as an elegant bodysuit, or a kaftan that drapes like a summer afternoon.

The brand’s resortwear completes the picture. Breezy sarongs, flowing dresses, and sculpted cover-ups turn a swim into an all-day ritual of ease. Even capsule collections—like the playful Miami Chic line with its pastel tones and tropical cut-outs—echo that blend of sophistication and seaside spontaneity.

Why It Matters Today

In an age when fashion trends rise and fall like tides, Eres remains remarkably steady. Its swimsuits are not costumes of the season; they are companions to a way of life. Whether on a sun-bleached dock in Maine, a Provençal pool, or a quiet cottage shore, an Eres suit whispers of permanence: a garment that flatters without fuss, luxurious without loudness, modern yet timeless.

In short, Eres has made a promise—one that feels very much at home in a Coast & Cottage world. A promise that style can be serene, that craftsmanship can be quiet, and that the art of the body, once revealed, never really goes out of season.