Ursula Andress iconic white bikini from “Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress iconic white bikini from “Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress and Sean Connery in “Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress, the Swiss actress who set the bar for Bond Girl sexiness as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, “Dr. No” (1962) when, during the movie, she emerges from the sea wearing a form fitting white cotton bikini. The moment in which Andress emerges from the sea in the white bikini has been cited by many as being amongst the greatest moments in film and one of its most erotic. The White bikini, also known as the ‘Dr. No bikini’, is regarded as monumental in the history of the bikini as sales of the two-piece bikini rocketed after the appearance of Andress in “Dr. No”, helping in it’s way to usher in the sexual revolution of the early to mid ’60s.

Ursula Andress in “Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress helped design the bikini along with Dr. No’s costume designer Tessa Prendergast. Andress reported that when she arrived in Jamaica for filming, no costumes were ready. She worked with director Terence Young and the costume designer to create something that fit her 5’6″, 36–24–36 frame just right. The bikini was made from ivory cotton and was the only one made and worn by her. The lower part of the bikini featured a wide white British Army belt with brass buckles and fittings, and a scabbard on the left side to hold a large knife.

Ursula Andress in her iconic white cotton bikini from
“Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress said that she owed her career to that white bikini, remarking, “This bikini made me into a success. As a result of starring in Dr. No as the first Bond girl, I was given the freedom to take my pick of future roles and to become financially independent.”

Ursula Andress in her iconic white cotton bikini from
“Dr. No” (1962)

Years later, after the sexy Swiss actress found the bikini in her attic, Andress put the item up for bid in a Bond-themed auction at Christie’s in London on Feb. 14, 2001. The bikini sold for around £35,000 (a little more than $50,000 at the time). The winner of the auction was Robert Earl, co-founder of Planet Hollywood.

Ursula Andress in her iconic white cotton bikini from
“Dr. No” (1962)

Ursula Andress won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer-Female for her role as Honey Ryder in “Dr. No” (1962).

Ursula Andress in her iconic white cotton bikini from
“Dr. No” (1962)

The bikini and scene in “Dr. No” of Ursula Andress emerging from the water was emulated by Halle Berry, who wore an orange bikini with tool belt, in the 2002 James Bond film, “Die Another Day”.

Halle Berry emerges from the sea in an orange bikini with tool belt in the 2002 James Bond film “Die Another Day” as she emulates the scene the original Bond girl Ursula Andress did in “Dr. No” (1962)