Lycra Company celebrates 80 years of beachwear innovation at MarediModa 2026

The Lycra Company, a leading provider of innovative fibre and technology solutions for the global apparel industry, will once again serve as an official partner of MarediModa 2026. The premier European trade show dedicated to swimwear, lingerie and athleisure fabrics will take place in Cannes from October 27 to 29, 2026.

80 years of bikinis, 80 years of Lycra® fibre revolution

The 2026 edition of MarediModa marks a significant milestone: the 80th anniversary of the bikini's creation. Over the decades, the garment has evolved from a bold statement piece into a global symbol of style, self-expression and contemporary beach culture. Since the 1960s, Lycra® fibre has played a vital role in transforming beachwear by delivering durability and lasting comfort alongside fit, shape retention and freedom of movement.

This tribute to the bikini and textile innovation is at the heart of “Designed to move. Built to last”, a project developed in collaboration with Carvico and Jersey Lomellina. Both companies are leading producers of high-performance stretch fabrics and long-standing partners of the Lycra® brand.

The exhibition journey centres around the Lycra® Brand Lounge and the Carvico and Jersey Lomellina stand, which will host a cocktail reception at 6pm CET on the opening evening of the trade show. The display traces eight decades of style through a curated selection of bikinis from the 1960s to the present day. Each piece captures the aesthetic, stylistic and cultural codes of its era while being crafted from innovative Carvico and Jersey Lomellina fabrics enhanced with Lycra Xtra Life® fibre.

Lycra Xtra Life® fibre enables the creation of durable swimwear that retains its performance up to ten times longer than garments made with unprotected elastane. This longevity is achieved through resistance to damage caused by chlorine, sunscreen, perspiration, heat and UV rays. The innovation supports longer-lasting swimwear without compromising on comfort, fit or performance.

Durability as art: designed to move, built to last

The exhibition combines iconic music, visual storytelling and textile innovation in an immersive experience.

Italian artist Ileana Lucia Ferri has created a series of evocative illustrations that capture the distinctive spirit of each era and establish a dialogue between fashion, visual culture and textile innovation. These artworks demonstrate how swimwear has evolved over time through its materials, silhouettes and the changing needs of the wearer.

During the cocktail reception, a live band will perform tracks spanning the past eight decades, while interactive LED walls display projections tracing the evolution of the bikini from the 1960s to today. This performance will unite music, fashion and technology to highlight durability as a value that stands the test of time.

“Celebrating 80 years of the bikini at MarediModa alongside exceptional partners such as Carvico and Jersey Lomellina is an extraordinary opportunity to reaffirm our vision for the future of beachwear,” says Arnaud Ruffin, vice president of brands and retail business at The Lycra Company. “In an ever-evolving industry, we are convinced that durability is one of the most meaningful ways to support more responsible fashion. The proven performance of Lycra Xtra Life® fibre enables us to offer swimwear solutions designed to last longer.”