Heritage

1901

Founded 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 specially designed corset. Henry later founded the H.W. Gossard Company in Chicago and set about producing corsets and other women's garments of the highest quality.

1922

Gossard commences export to the UK, opening an office in London and producing its first sales catalogue for the UK market, featuring corsets and brassieres. After 1922, 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 whist making it much more comfortable.

1930s

H.W. Gossard Company ceases to be an American Corporation and becomes a British Company.

1940s

During the Second World War, Gossard's production was turned over to assist with Britain's war effort. During this time it's workforce produced everything from brassieres for the Women's Royal Naval Service to sails, parachutes and even single-seater fighter dinghies.

1950s

Gossard takes another pioneering step by introducing Silkskin - a lightweight, pre-shrunk girdle featuring an innovative wonder fibre, Nylon. Five years later the Perma-lift range of bras and girdles launches, featuring the 'Magic Insert', a cleverly shaped support within each bra cup to give permanent uplift.

1960s

Gossard diversifies and focuses on producing fashionable bras, including the now world-famous Wonderbra.

1970s

Gossard develops the 'Sheer Glossies' range which gave a 'natural' look under clothes. Noting that women's busts were becoming fuller, Gossard extends their cup sizes up to a DD (now up to a G).

Glossies are back! See the revival ...

1980s

Coordination becomes the buzz-word; Gossard creates its Ritz collection of coordinating lingerie.

1994

Playtex acquires the Wonderbra brand when Gossard's licence to produce it expires. Gossard launches the 'Ultrabra Superboost' soon after to a rapturous response, claming to give "the biggest cleavage ever … or your money back!"

Thanks to Gossard, for the first time a cleavage bra is available for larger cup sizes.

See the new Superboost Satin collection ...

1996

Sophie Anderton becomes famous in 1996 after appearing in the Gossard Glossies "Girl in the grass" national advertising campaign shot by Herb Ritts, with the strapline "Who said a woman couldn't get pleasure from something soft?"

1999

Model Kate Groombridge becomes an ambassador for the 'Ultrabra Superboost' range and was later named as the 'face' of the Gossard brand following its success on the highstreet. The bra proved popular, and even proved controversial when the advertising campaign was considered too racy for British television.

2002

The company launches G-Strings by Gossard, a collection of designer G-Stings that sold out as soon as they hit the shops. Beautiful lingerie designed to be seen.

2005

Gossard launches the innovative SuperSmooth collection, with revolutionary no-stitching and no-seam technology to provide invisible support and a comfortable second skin. Moulded cups give an enhanced silhouette with an ultra-modern and undoubtedly feminine style.

Gossard SuperSmooth proves to be the new 'must-have' for every woman.

2006

The 'Superboost Secret' range is launched, featuring discreet cushioned cups which provide a natural and sleek looking uplifted cleavage. The Superboost Secret shaping briefs give bottoms a boost, whilst the shaping thong has a stomach-controlling panel all combined with sexy styling.

See the new Superboost Satin collection ...

2007

New Superboost is launched! 2007 sees the launch of the redesigned and much loved Superboost range, still delivering the ultimate cleavage. Every woman knows that confidence comes from within and where better to start than with great confidence boosting lingerie.

See the new Superboost Satin collection ...

2011

Classic Gossard Glossies are back! Cutting edge fabric and the latest shape technology come together to set a new standard for comfort, fit and minimisation. More about you, less about the bra. Love me, wear me, feel me!

Glossies are back! See the revival ...