# Rudi Gernreich's pubikini - This, I gotta see! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 29, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091 "2008-10-29T15:17:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/1 "2008-10-29T15:17:20Z")
An obituary of photographer William Claxton mentioned his photographs of his wife, Peggy Moffitt, wearing the designs of Rudi Gernreich. Apparently, Gernreich was the first to design a topless swimsuit, which was famously modeled by Moffitt in the 1960s. Following the Gernreich trail, I discovered that in the 1980s, he designed something called the “pubikini,” which was a swimsuit that featured a window or hole that revealed the wearer’s pubic hair. Now, this sounds like something I dreamed of as a desperate adolescent and I would love to see Gernreich’s version of such a garment. Unfortunately, while I did find pictures of Moffitt wearing the topless swimsuit, I can’t locate any actual pictures of a model wearing Gernreich’s pubikini. Anyone got any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/2 "2008-10-29T16:34:28Z")
I was actually looking at something else, and a reference to your “pubikini” caught my eye. No pictures, though: > [@](#): > > Pubikini, an extreme form of microkini, is another bathing suit created by Rudi Gernreich. The pubikini is a small piece of fabric that hugs the hips and buttocks but leaves the pubic region exposed.[49] > **[Monokini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topless_bathing_suit#Monokini)** > > The monokini (also known as a "topless bikini" or "unikini") was designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964, consisting of only a brief, close-fitting bottom and two thin straps; it was the first women's topless swimsuit. His revolutionary and controversial design included a bottom that "extended from the midriff to the upper thigh" and was "held up by shoestring laces that make a halter around the neck." Some credit Gernreich's design with initiating, or describe it as a symbol Gernreich designed the m... > [@](#): > > These are all good reasons to make the Brazilian commitment, but my favorite reason, by far, comes in the form of a piece of non-clothing called the “pubikini.” Rudi Gernreich, the fashion designer who brought the first topless bathing suit into popularity, also designed the lesser-known and much less-celebrated pubikini—a small piece of fabric that hugs the hips and butt but leaves the pubic region free to breathe. Hey, if you’re going to go through with it, why not show it off? > **[Metroland Online - 2006 Summer Guide](http://metroland.net/guides/2007_sum_guide/sum_waxing.html)** > > The Capital Region's Alternative Newsweekly. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/3 "2008-10-29T16:43:45Z")
Is this the same Rudi who “designed” the **Space:1999** uniforms? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/4 "2008-10-29T16:48:54Z")
Yes, I believe so. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/5 "2008-10-29T22:16:20Z")
Well, you can Google but I"m not going to look for it in all the results now. If you Google pubikini, one of the top 10 hits is Rudi’s Myspace page, so maybe you could contact him and ask for a picture. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/6 "2008-10-30T01:11:36Z")
[Here’s a picture of the garment.](http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/objectview.aspx?page=14&sort=3&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=14&dd1=0&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=0&OID=80005263&vT=1) Googling pubikini in images brings up a series of references to Gernreich. However, the most information given is that he created it shortly before his death in 1985. It may have been a stunt that got announced but never made it onto a model. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/7 "2022-05-23T01:00:58Z")
Discourse is telling me that this thread is 13 years old. Yet Discourse also just sent me a notification that I got a popular link because my previous post has been clicked on 50 times. Discourse, meet Discourse. And have a good talk with yourself. Anyway, I opened the thread because “Earned ‘Popular Link’” is a message with null information. (See: Discourse) I had to wonder whether 13 years dredged up more information on the topic. It has, sorta, kinda. A picture of the supposed pubikini on a living model can be found. I’ll put the link into a spoiler because of nudity. Note that the garment does not match either the image in the older link or the initial description of revealing the pubic hair. The photo is credited to Helmut Newton and was purportedly taken a few days before Gernreich’s death in 1985, as my previous search claimed. No other good info comes up in a Google search. Remember, kids, publicity stunts can kill you. [Back to the Five & Dime, Rudi Gernreich with the “pubikini,” his last...](https://backtothefiveanddime.tumblr.com/post/10211773992/rudi-gernreich-with-the-pubikini-his-last) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/8 "2022-05-23T03:03:53Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Note that the garment does not match either the image in the older link or the initial description of revealing the pubic hair. It looks to me, however, like it would show pubic hair where the blue-green rectangle is. I’m not entirely sure what it is. And I’m pretty sure you got the badge because some new person, likely searching for pics of the pubkini, read this page and clicked on your link. Since there were already more than 50 clicks on the link, that triggered Discourse to give you the badge. And, since no one had actually posted since 2008, the age of the thread did not update until you posted. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/9 "2022-05-23T03:11:57Z")
I sure remember the 1980s swimsuits that not only had a big hole cut out of the abdominal area, but it also had very, ahem, high leg holes. Hootie & the Blowfish’s first release was called “Kootchypop”, inspired by a black comedienne who was talking about those suits, and she said, “If you’re gonna wear one of those, you’re gonna have to shave yo’ kootchypop!” ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/10 "2022-05-23T03:21:28Z")
Yeah, I got that. I was making a joke. More modern versions of the pubikini that deserve the name exist, or at least pictures of them do. Again, spoilered link. [pubikini.com](http://pubikini.com) ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/11 "2022-05-23T03:46:58Z")
You know what that looks like? The ‘sanitary belts’ we women had to use to hold napkins before they figured out how to put adhesive strips to hold them to your undies. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/12 "2022-05-24T00:30:58Z")
I got another Popular Link for the Helmut Newton photo. You’re all perverts! I bet I get a bunch of awards for this link. [Link](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Porn) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/13 "2022-05-24T03:02:56Z")
There is a point at which you do have to wonder why you’d bother wearing anything at all ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/14 "2022-05-24T06:00:48Z")
And the pictured “bikini” would be a Wicked Weasel . . . no link ya pervs! ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/15 "2022-05-24T06:18:46Z")
Did you notice that @Exapno_Mapcase’s link is to a website with the url “pubikini. com” which has no pages other than the page to which Exapno linked, no links to anything, nothing? Someone went to the length of getting the specific url for the sole purpose of creating a static page showing and describing a pubikini. Weird ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/16 "2022-05-24T23:24:16Z")
A pubikini with no pubic hair? What gives? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/17 "2022-05-24T23:33:09Z")
It’s for showing your pubikarea not necessarily your pubikair. Apparently. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/18 "2022-05-24T23:37:34Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > There is a point at which you do have to wonder why you’d bother wearing anything at all You are thinking of the nude beach. Head there if you want to see it all. Note, others can see you, too. Anyway, as for this style, like the Borat monokini, sling monokini, micro-bikini, etc. it theoretically exists, but does anyone wear it? Good excuse to head to the beach in the afternoon and find out. > [@Princhester](#): > > It’s for showing your pubikarea not necessarily your pubikair. Apparently Many people trim their pubic hair, so it would not necessarily all hang out as you would expect from this style of garment. (Assuming anybody wears it.) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/19 "2022-05-25T01:55:38Z")
The Phoenix Art Museum recently had a special exhibit of Rudi’s fashions. Very fascinating. They had the Monokini, but on a mannequin. (a mannikini?) > **[Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich - Phoenix Art Museum](https://phxart.org/exhibition/fearless-fashion/)** He had some interesting aesthetics. Genderless fashion - fashions that work for men and women. That didn’t catch on. > **[The Designer Who Wanted to Liberate People from Gendered Clothing](https://hyperallergic.com/499962/rudi-gernreich-skirball-cultural-center/)** > > Looking back on the work and philosophy of Rudi Gernreich, who broke norms and made waves in the 1960s and ’70s. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2022, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091/20 "2022-05-25T04:38:22Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > He had some interesting aesthetics. Genderless fashion - fashions that work for men and women. That didn’t catch on. The photo linked by @Exapno_Mapcase several posts above probably would not have worked equally well for men and women. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091.md?page=2)