Brigite   Interview - Part 7

This former French housewife, turned thong swimwear model and fashion designer, is now one of Europe's most recognizable faces

October 2005

<<Previous

CAPPELLI: Well, it's been quite some time since we last met, two years  I believe?

BRIGITE:  Yes John it has been quite some time.  A lot has happened since then.

CAPPELLI: Well, I guess that's why we're here.  Why don't you tell me a little bit about what's going on in your life now.

BRIGITE: Well, first I wanted to tell you, remember I think the last time we spoke I told you we had come out with a line of topless swimwear for women about 10 months prior?

CAPPELLI: Yes I do.  You said you were very reluctant because you thought that the general ethic in America would prevent most everyone from buying them.

"It's a great topless bathing suit.  It has a lot of support and is quite functional as well as attractive and sexy.  Very athletically styled"

BRIGITE: That's right.  I was fairly certain it would be a very limited success.  I was very pleasantly surprised however.  We came out with a basic black one piece topless thong we call the Versailles.

CAPPELLI:  I remember it well, you wore it for the photo shoot that day but we didn't use the photos, we used one from your files.

BRIGITE:  That's right, we thought that we would be censored by our web ecommerce providers.  You know, changing the subject slightly, we still cannot show full frontal shots of the suit(s).  If we do we fall into a more highly filtered category on the major search engines and would lose a large portion of our business.  Pity really that kind of prudence still exists in America.  You can see all of a woman's breasts on the Academy Awards on major TV networks (except the nipples).  That is obviously alright.  Show the nipples though and you're banned. 

That makes no sense whatsoever, men show theirs!  I'm sorry, I've gotten off on one of my tangents.  It's really a pet peeve, I think you call it, of mine.

"Our new topless swimwear, the Monte Carlo is a totally different design concept.  Not as athletic, a little sexier and better for tanning"

CAPPELLI:  Well Brigite, we have been down that road before, I don't think the mores of America are going to change much.

BRIGITE: Oh, I know, but it just defies logic.  Anyway, that suit the Versailles, actually became so popular we came out with a new suit the Monte Carlo.  It too is doing well.  Many of our customers are ordering only thong bikini bottoms too so obviously those are being worn topless.  We also sell a lot of our Sheer T shirts, very popular!

Cappelli: Really, that's great, I guess you are making some inroads.

Brigite:  Slowly but surely I guess.  Anyway, I have been told that Brigitewear is now the largest selling exclusive line of thong swimwear in the world.  I just can't believe it.  What good fortune I have had.  From nothing to largest in the world in just a little over four years!

Cappelli: Well congratulations.  I am very proud of you for sticking with it all those years.  I know it was tough at first.  You said you had some even bigger news though?

Brigite:  Yes.  On my last trip back to France, about 14 months ago, I met someone.  I was in Monte Carlo actually, doing some photos for the new topless suit.  One night I was in the Casino playing roulette and the nicest man sat next to me and started playing.  We started a conversation which led to some drinks in the lounge.  The next night we had dinner and shortly after I started falling in love.  We've been seeing each other since. 

Cappelli: Sounds like it could get serious.  You'll have a lot of disappointed fans I'm sure.

"We also sell a lot of our Sheer T Shirts - very popular today"

BRIGITE:  I hope some are happy for me too!  Anyway, we, his name is Jean Paul, are getting married the first week in January on Corsica.

CAPPELLI: Well congratulations again.  I'm happy for you.  Will I be invited to the wedding?

BRIGITE:  I'm afraid not John.  We are having a very small ceremony with only a limited number of friends and family.  We're actually being married on a yacht.  It only holds about 40 people.

Cappelli: Well give my best wishes to the groom.  What will you do after, where will you live?

Brigite:  We will live most of the time in the South of France.  Jean Paul has a large vineyard and also a shipping business so we need to be close by.  I of course am looking forward to it because it is so close to my childhood home.

Cappelli:  That is terrific.  I now see why you said this would probably be our last interview.  What about your swimwear line?

Brigite:  I have some great management people here in the States and it will remain here and be run by them.  Our suits are made in San Diego and our marketing and shipping is handled from the Palm Summers area.  We will probably get a new model late next year to take over for me.  After all, I am over 50 years old now!

Cappelli:  Well you're a great looking 50.  Congratulations again and best wishes in all you do, you've been an inspiration to many.

Brigite:  Thank you John for all your kind words and encouragement.  I will always remember you.  Good bye.