The banning of French Muslim woman from a swimming pool for wearing a burquini has become a major international news story.
Besides the sociopolitical controversy, one interesting thing that's come out of it is renewed attention on the burqini's creator, Australian swimwear designer Aheda Zanetti, who provides her reflections on the controversy here:
Ms Zanetti said she also had to work hard to have the "burqini'' accepted in other European nations such as The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
"A lot of people are appreciating it, the fact that we've put our foot down ... we didn't give up,'' she said.
"They are choices, just women's choices, that's all it is.''
The woman turned away from the swimming pool was wearing a copy of the Ahiida design, probably made from a heavy polyester.
Ms Zanetti said the woman's ban was unlikely to have been based on hygiene as there is no proof full-length swimsuits were unhygienic, with women often wearing other swimwear underneath.
"It could be a political reason. It could be a racist reason. It could be a discrimination reason. It could be millions of reasons,'' she said.
"There's no proof - what do they mean hygiene?
"You can't kick someone out ... it doesn't matter - Muslim, Christian, I don't care who they are - you can't say something without a strong ground.''
Ms Zanetti said she has received support from all over the world for her design, which she says has encouraged Muslim women to be more active both socially and in the workforce.
"It's just a burqini. It's only just a swimsuit, but it really has gathered up work, confidence, ability ... it's just done amazing things.''
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