 Réard 's company folded in 1988 , four years after his death . By the end of the century , the bikini had become the most popular beachwear around the globe . According to French fashion historian Olivier Saillard , this was due to " the power of women , and not the power of fashion " . As he explains , " The emancipation of swimwear has always been linked to the emancipation of women " , though one survey indicates 85 % of all bikinis never touch the water . By 1988 the bikini made up nearly 20 % of swimsuit sales , more than any other model in the US , though one @-@ piece suits made a comeback during the 1980s and early 1990s . 
