Gili’s: the chic ready-to-swim brand

Quality, innovation and comfort are the main ingredients of French brand Gili's. We take a look at its swimwear collections, available for men and boys alike. The ready-to-swim line is available in several Barrière establishments.

Is swimwear an accessory or clothing? In 2016, young and dynamic French brand Gili's made up its mind: swimwear is clothing. On the beach and in the pool, over the past two years Gili's has invented the concept of chic ready-to-swim for men.

The people behind it? A couple: Clarisse de Lacharrière and Aymeric Lacape, her husband. They came up with the idea during a holiday near Bali where they visited several popular diving spots. The concept crystallised through one word: gili, or 'island' in Indonesian.

Initially intended to run alongside their day jobs, the project came into existence in the summer of 2014. The idea: "to refine men's choice of holiday wear", sums up Clarisse de Lacharrière. In short, to take a gamble on high quality and detail in swimwear. 

Gili’s - young but big 

Barrière was won over by the innovative vision of the designers behind Gili’s and decided to join the young brand's network of stores. Its collection of chic swimwear is available in Deauville at Le Normandy, Le Royal and L'Hôtel du Golf, in La Baule, at L'Hermitage and Le Royal, and at Le Majestic Cannes. A special Barrière limited edition was even created to mark the occasion.

Gili's also has a Paris-based boutique in the Marais district (Rue Vieille-du-Temple), just a stone's skim away from the Musée Picasso, as well as another store – "the original one" – in La Baule, open from Easter to All Saints' Day. Finally, Gili's has slipped into the exquisite waters of other popular spots: in Paris at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, in Mauritius and in St. Barths.

Bold and comfortable 

"Clothing for bathing or swimming", Gili's means new and improved swimwear. Its effective brand of creativity is based on discreet elegance, high quality and attention to detail, such as the natural resin beads that adorn the ends of the drawstring that tightens the bright, delicate waistband of the swim shorts. This creative momentum can also be seen in the range of bold colours and patterns, ranging from coral to fluorescent yellow, graphic prints and "azulejos", Portuguese cement tiles.

What's more, the range is also available for little ones. Daddy and his little boy(s) can therefore sport the same cuts and colours while enjoying the same comfort. And since summer 2016, little girls have also been able to match papa in two colourways.