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Not on display

panty thong

Panty Thong
1978
Artist/Maker
Lily of France
Rudi Gernreich
Place of origin
USA

Nude panty thong, 'The Thong', by Rudi Gernreich for Lily of France, 1978

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Object details

Category
Underwear
Object type
Panty thong
Titlepanty thong
Materials and techniques
Nylon and spandex
Nylon
Spandex
Brief description
Nude panty thong, 'The Thong', by Rudi Gernreich for Lily of France, 1978
Dimensions
  • Width: 25cm (Note: Measured laid flat.)
  • Height: 25cm
Gallery label
(16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
'The Thong'

Rudi Gernreich is credited as the inventor of the 'thong'. He designed one as a unisex bathing suit in 1974 when Los Angeles banned nude public swimming. Women could buy an optional top.

Gernreich also designed thongs to be worn as underwear. They were made for women from 1975 by the American company Lily of France with the trademark, 'The Thong'. The colour of this thong is termed 'golden nude'.

Thong
Rudi Gernreich (1922-85) for Lily of France
USA, 1978
Nylon and Spandex
Anonymous gift
Credit line
Given anonymously
Object history
Registered File number: 2016/158
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.196:1-2016

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Record createdApril 20, 2016
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1350009/panty-thong-panty-thong-rudi-gernreich/
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