The fierce battle of the BikiniARTmuseum for the Ursula Andress Bond Bikini

The new owner is still unknown. The famous bikini, worn by Ursula Andress in the first Bond classic "007 chases Dr. No" (1962), was the star of the auction "Hollywood Swinging" by "Heritage Auctions" in Dallas, which auctioned over 400 Hollywood rarities on Saturday evening. The bikini lived up to its expectations, fetching $240,000 in a spectacular bidding battle. The BikiniARTmuseum battled for the extraordinary piece and came out ahead a total of five times. The entire team fevered and groaned along. However, at $230,000, the limit that the museum had set for itself was reached. In 2001, the bikini changed hands for the last time at a Christie's auction in London. Robert Earl (PlanetHollywood, FC Everton) bought it at that time for about 60,000 dollars from Ursula Andress. Now he has made a profit of 400%. Ghislaine Rayer from Paris,curator and international swimwear expert, commented: "Swimwear fashion is a sought-after investment these days."

And so the makers of the only museum of the world history of swimwear already feel a bit like winners. Alexander Ruscheinsky, the owner, commented after the auction: "The Bond bikini would have been a great addition to our collection. In addition to the "Golden Réard", historically the most valuable bikini in the world, we would have liked to have the most famous one now. Our Hollywood showcase is excellently stocked with originals by Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Amy Winehouse. On the other hand, the famous movie scene made a tremendous impact."

Bikini becomes the epitome of the self-determined woman

When the charismatic Ursula Andress emerged from the sea in an ivory bikini with breathtaking naturalness, warbling a little song but holding a knife in her hand, the worldwide audience was virtually mesmerized. There was hardly any such concentrated sex appeal on the big screen in the early 1960s. The bikini, which had been controversial for decades, was suddenly acceptable. And women recognized its explosive power. In the 1960s, the emancipation movement pushed women for more freedom and self-determination over their own bodies; the bikini became the symbol and epitome of the modern, self-confident woman who is at peace with her body and her sexuality.

Bathroom fashions are an interesting investment today.

Ghislaine Rayer, book author and curator, is the international expert on swimwear, lingerie and historical corsets: "Swimwear has been taboo for centuries. Society always wanted to hide the female body from the public. The BikiniARTmuseum has done pioneering work here and given this so important fashion line a memory, a home. The now worldwide attention and the individual historical and social rarities are also invaluable here. I was not at all surprised by the price achieved of $240,000, including commissions and incidentals yes even $300,000."

About the BikiniARTmuseum

Not only Hollywood bikinis, but also the exciting history of swimwear fashion and culture from antiquity to the present day await you at the BikiniARTmuseum in BadRappenau. In addition to the approximately 400 exhibits dating from 1870 onwards and interactive stations, the integrated SelfieARTmuseum makes for an extraordinary museum visit. In addition: Marilyn Monroe's lace one-piece suit and the original swimwear pieces of bikini inventor Louis Réard - 13 of the 17 still preserved originals - are in the possession of the BikiniARTmuseum.

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