The ban on burkini in about 23 towns in European country, France has evoked several reactions on the internet.The reactions – both negative and positive – became stronger on Wednesday when photographs emerged of armed French police confronting a woman on a beach and making her remove some of her clothing as part of a controversial ban on the swimwear.

What exactly is a burkini? That’s the question on the lips of many Nigerians.

Also spelt burqini, it is a two piece swimsuit/bikini/hijab crossbreed worn specifically for swimming. It was designed by Australia based Lebanese designer, Aheda Zanetti.

“Burkini or Burqini are brand names invented and developed by designer Aheda Zanetti as part of the early marketing of her product – swimwear which is “two piece like a bikini” and “smaller than a burka” ( a full cover over coat ),” Zanetti said on her website burkini.com.

She told telegraph.co.uk that she had sold an estimated 700,000 of the garments since 2008, including customers who were “Jews, Hindus, Christians, Mormons, women with various body issues”. She also said she has received emails from around the world supporting her design after the recent ban in France.

Here are photos of the of the burkini: