Berlei Information

Gossard produced everything from brassieres for the Women's Royal Naval Service to sails, parachutes and even single-seater fighter dinghies. Gossard takes another pioneering step by introducing Silkskin - a lightweight, pre-shrunk girdle featuring an innovative wonder fibre, Nylon. The Perma-lift range of bras and girdles launches in the 1950's, featuring the 'Magic Insert', a cleverly shaped support within each bra cup to give permanent uplift. In the 1960's Gossard diversifies and focuses on producing fashionable bras, including the now world-famous Wonderbra. H.W. Gossard Company ceases to be an American Corporation and becomes a British Company. The first London office is opened and the first sales catalogues are produced for the UK market, featuring corsets and brassieres. Gossard revolutionises the industry by making the radical step of moving the laces on a corset from the back of the garment to the front, making it easier to get on and off and increasing comfort. Founded in 1901 by Henry Williamson Gossard, an American representative for a wholesale dressmaking company. Henry was inspired by the actress Sarah Bernhardt, whilst visiting Paris, after seeing her figure transformed on stage by a spe cially designed corset. The H.W. Gossard Company was founded in Chicago and began producing corsets and other women's garments of the highest quality.