The birth of the bikini

From knee-length numbers to a scandalous suit denounced by the Pope, the colourful history of swimwear has been brought to life by a glamorous London exhibition. Deborah Nicholls-Lee dives in

Hollywood has always objectified beautiful women — only now are we seeing the substance behind their sex appeal

Animated by two profound love affairs, Gabrielle Chanel established a symbiotic connection with Britain that remains a source of inspiration for the maison a century on

Terry towelling–whether it be clothing babies, adorning a poolside Bond or mopping tennis players’ brows–altered domestic life forever, discovers Matthew Dennison

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

Protect your skin while out on the water this summer with our pick of the best swimming costumes featuring built-in UV protection