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The H.W. Gossard Company was founded in Chicago in 1901 by Henry Williamson Gossard. The product was corsets. In 1922, H.W. Gossard opened offices in London and built a factory there in 1926. There they developed the first front-lacing corsets.

In the 1930s the company headquarters was moved to Britain. They continued to make corsets and they also produced bras. During WWII, Gossard switched from corsets to parachutes, but after the war continued in the production of “foundation garments.” They developed lightweight girdles and bras using a relatively new fiber, nylon.

Following the tide of fashion, the late 1960s brought a more natural look to Gossard. They developed the Wonder Bra and, in the 1980s, the Ultra Bra. Gossard is still in business, their latest innovation being their Superboost Secret line.

Written by fuzzylizzie


from a late 1940s corset - Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo

from a late 1940s corset

Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo

hangtag from a late-1940s bra - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

hangtag from a late-1940s bra

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1960s robe and gown set - Courtesy of pinupdresses

from a 1960s robe and gown set

Courtesy of pinupdresses

from a 1970s dressing gown - Courtesy of T Bonita Style

from a 1970s dressing gown

Courtesy of T Bonita Style