A sharp-eyed observer of the privileged bathers on the French Riviera beach fashioned the first ever boxer short swimming trunks from the chequered cloth on his café table.

When the inventor hit upon a quick-drying spinnaker canvas, the car enthusiast named the results of his innovation Vilebrequin, meaning “crankshaft”. His upmarket swimwear won the loyalty of the St Tropez set and can now be found on every exclusive beachside in the world.