“Only a few lingerie brands have a real history and can claim true expertise.”

Panty from Chantelle “Capris” Collection (above)

Chantelle’s origin dates back to 1876, when Mr.Gamichon made the first elastic knits in his Romilly factory (Aube) thanks to the discovery of the rubber vulcanization process. He quickly joined forces with his nephew, the first representative of the Kretz family, which manages the family business turned international group to this day. 

In 1902, the company started its corsette-making activityand revolutionized the market with designs made from elastic fabrics. The company’s name was changed to “Chantelle” in 1949, when it established itself as a reference brand of body-shaping undergarments with the historical slogan “Chantelle, the girdle that does not creep”.

1958 Chantelle Ad by Frank Horvat (above)

The first bras were produced in 1961 and in 1962, Chantelle opened its first national subsidiary in Düsseldorf,  Germany. This marked the begining of a great complicity with women all oever the world. Innovation and success followed.

In 1970, the Fête model bacame a significant event of its times, selling at over one million units per year.  In 1972, the first molded bra was launched under the name of  Défi.

In 1982, “Les Chéris” collection brought the promise of a new seductive style and in 1986, the “Veritge” collection met with astounding success.  In 1993, Chantelle set up business in the US and became the ambassador of French elegance for US women.

Chantelle 1982 Lingerie Ad (above)

Since then, the Chantelle group has continued its expansion throughout the world, bringing multiple innovations and creating successful products including Senso, Chantilly, Hedona, and Africa.  Chantelle Denmark was founded in 2004 after 15 years with an agent. Chantelle is represented in 70 countries and is the largest exporter in France of fine lingerie.

Chantelle Lingerie Fashion Show (above)

As one of the leading French lingerie brands on the international market, Chantelle has become an expert in creating high-end women’s intimate apparel and figure enhancement. In celebration of the brands success, in 2007 Chantelle has opened its first “Chantelle Paris” boutiques based on the highly innovative concept.

Chantelle “Beyond Beauty” Ad with super model Stephanie Symour (above)

Colombian apparel company Annette has been in business for over 25 years, when the company officially established a business in US in 2002.  With a business reputation of a long-time international apparel manufacturer, the company was already selling high quality shapewear, special occasion pieces, and post-surgical garments to 18 different countries worldwide.

Annette Lingerie Logo (above)

Within months, Annette International, headed by Sharon Singer, was born and the company began shipping to accounts here in the United States with Annette’s headquarters located in Sharon’s mother’s small Miami apartment.

Sharon Singer, Founder of Annette Lingerie in US (above)

Seven years, two small children, one extremely supportive husband, one committed US/Colombian team and many business trips, phone calls and trade shows later - Sharon Singer overcame all challenges and, thanks to her, Annette has taken a foothold in today’s competitive market. During this time of building and development, the company’s entire team have worked tirelessly to understand what women want and moreover, what they need. In turn, the company has developed products made specifically to make women feel great from the inside out.

Annette, Secret Weapons Collection, Seamless Bra & Thong (above)

Annette new collections directly reflect these efforts. Secret Weapons by Annette, which is comprised of 14 innovative 100% seamless shapewear styles, will be followed by Diva Defined, an adjustable shapewear line designed to compliment the curvaceous figure. Simultaneously, the company is introducing its Seamless Technology line for women needing garments following cosmetic surgery.

Annette Lingerie, Secret Weapons Collection, High Back Bodyshaper (above)

Founded in 1991, the first collection of Carlton Hall designer robes and sleepwear was launched in Houston, Texas. The concept of the collection was that of elegance and function. That concept remains, although the product line has evolved over the last decade.

Carlton Hall Lingerie Logo (above)

Carlton Hall, Inc. is a design house that designs, manufactures, and sells luxury robes, sleepwear, and loungewear wholesale to specialty stores, high end department stores, mail order catalogs, spas, and internet retailers. Garments are manufactured in Texas and are cut to order. Company’s domestic production ensures that each garment is supervised from design to completion, offering close attention to detail and quality.

Detail of Carlton Hall Luxurious Robe

with Zipper Adorned with Swarovski Crystals (above)

Today the company manufactures under the labels of Carlton Hall and Amanda Rich, and product lines range from luxury wrap and zip front robes, sleepwear, caftans, and loungewear to spa wear. In 2006, Carlton Hall was awarded the “Best of Spa” award at the Contours International Lingerie Awards Event (CILA) held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Carlton Hall Robes and Gown, Dallas Showroom (above)

Carlton Hall’s Mission Statement: “Carlton Hall provides our customers with an elegant lifestyle product consisting of robes, loungewear, and sleepwear. Our quality, fit, and customer service is exceptional. We partner with our customers to offer them a product that sets them apart from the competition.”

Carlton Hall, The Luxury Spa Collection, Gown & Robe (above)

For more than 60 years, “Empreinte” Lingerie Brand has been in constant touch with its consumers, offering models combining wellbeing, femininity and comfort.

Empreinte Lingerie Brand Logo (above)

From the first innovations, including the most famous, the launch in the 1950s of bras with deeper cups, to the latest “revolutionary lift effect” innovations, the brand has been in constant evolution within its sector, positioning itself on the lingerie market as the specialist in larger cup sizes.

The Empreinte collections are aimed at all women – the young and not so young, curvaceous or very thin – with larger cup sizes, who are looking to combine style and fit.

The story begins in 1946, when a workshop opens its doors on Rue Yves Collet in Brest with four workers spurred on by the founder Jean Le Her.  Sales and success mean that larger premises are soon sought for. They then move to Rue d’Aboville where the building is so cold that Mr. Le Her has to serve hot drinks and burn oil to distribute a little heat. By 1949, the company had 15 employees.

Empreinte, “Chiara” Collection, Full Cup Bra (above)

In 1954, the new American fashion enhances the breast figure. Up until then, it was better to conceal it.  Two seamstresses, Mrs Odette Tardivel and Mrs Haug, join forces and create in France and for Empreinte, the 3 cup sizes A, B and C. The D cup saw the light in 1960 and the E cup in 1962.

In 1955, Empreinte brings its models to light in “France Soir”. And in 1961, the company reaches the 100-employee mark and moves to a new factory on the Kergonan site in Brest. The first strapless bra was produced in 1968. The company introduces its first swimwear collection in 1972.

In 1996, the “Felice” Collection, which carries a reference to the year it was created (96), has been introduced. The company could not predict that this collection will become such a huge success in the future: 7 years of existence and only three colours!

1998 marked the introduction of the new collections that will represent the foundation stone for the company’s new directions and 2001 brings a new identity: “Empreinte, secrètement complice”. From then on, in 2002, Déborah becomes the brand’s new icon with one of Jean-François Jonvelle’s latest photos.

Empreinte, “Celeste” Collection, Full Cup Bra (above)

The company expands its business to an international scale in 2005, by reinforcing the brand’s presence in Europe. And in 2006, with the development of the G cup, Empreinte legitimises its “Larger Cup” positioning.
In 2007, Empreinte successfully launched ”The Shells“, the new style bra with fine seamless padded cups, the ideal bra for generous figures, available in balconnet and very plunge shapes.

The brand’s strength and its main differentiation remain to come from Empreinte’s bras’ promises to fuller figure women.
This is the company’s key value, the answer to a trustworthy and loyal relationship that has been established between the brand and consumers throughout the company’s 60 years of existence.

The seamless fishnet tights appeared in the 60s and radically transformed feminine hosiery. This innovative production was designed by one of the founders of ”Cifra S.p.A.”, a company located in the industrious area of Brianza, a few kilometers north of one of the most important centers of worldwide fashion, Milan Italy.

Cifra Lingerie Products: a Detail of Bodice and Cami (above)

Today Cifra, though already being the leader in the hosiery field with a well-known technologically advanced production, still continues to invest in research and development of new materials. Cifra also specializes in lingerie, sportswear and fashionwear.

Cifra Lingerie Products: Cami & Panty (above)

The company utilizes only the best quality of yarns and supplyes the more prestigious world labels. Fishnet and fancy patterned hosierys are produced with the best quality of elastomer (Dupont Lycra covered with Nylon), which are made with double needled Raschel and Jacquard looms.

Cifra Hosiery Products: Fashion Tights (above)

These are the reasons why some of the more important brands have given priority to Cifra S.p.A. products. There are more than a thousand different types of articles in the catalogue of production: besides these, Cifra can also produce new designs and exclusive styles following customers’ specific requests. Included in the service the client receives a direct guarantee on the pattern.

Cifra Swimwear Products: One-piece Swimsuit, very sporty (above)

Wacoal, the luxury intimate apparel brand renowned for its superior quality and fit, is introducing “Wacoal LUXE”, a new high-end collection featuring beautifully crafted intimates for Spring 2008 that will be sold exclusively at finer retail stores.

The “Wacoal LUXE” Collection embodies the brand’s trademark of fit and comfort, yet adds distinction by focusing on luxurious fabrics, new sultry shades and beautiful shapes to give a touch of indulgence, romance and glamour.

A Rose is a Rose underwire and contour bra with matching boyshort panty features intricate and stunning emboirdery for a sexy and seductive feel.

Wacoal LUXE, ”A Rose is a Rose” Collection, Underwire Bra & Boyshort (above)   

Amazing Lace, a gorgeous lace set accentuated with a delicate satin ribbon, comes in a push-up or all-lace underwire, paired with a lace boyshort or thong panty.

Wacoal LUXE, ”Amazing Lace” Collection, Lace Underwire Bra & Boyshort (above) 

A Light Touch underwire bra and boyshort panty are excuisitely designed in a classic silhouette to give a beautifully feminine and romantic look.

Wacoal LUXE, ”Light Touch” Collection, Lace Underwire Bra (above) 

The “Jolidon Import-Export SLR” company was founded in 1993 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. By 1994, it produced its first cotton and lace lingerie collection. The year of 1995 was very significant for the company, since it marked the appearance of the first “Jolidon” catalog. Also, this was a year when the company first participated in a TIBCO fair in Bucharest and made the first major investment in the sewing machines.

Jolidon, Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, Body with Push-up Bra & Brazilian bottom in Black (above)

In 1998, the company first participated in an international trade fair – Lyon Mode City. The same year, ”F60“, the best sold swimsuit for the next 5 years, has been created. In 1999, the company buys the firs labeling machine.

And in 2000, company opened its branch in Bucharest, successfully implemented computerized Lectra system for the realization of patterns; aquired the first performing machine, and opended the “Jolidon Hungary KFT“, the first head office in Budepest.

Jolidon, Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, Underwired Bra & Brazilian panty in Lila (above)

The appearence of the first lace collection in 2001 brought the company an instanteneous success and recognition. When Jolidon appeared at the Lyon Mode City that year, it was the company with the most articles selected for the trend presentation: 24 articles. Shortly after, the company opened “Jolidon Italy SRL“, with the head office in Milano. And two years later, in 2003, the company opens “Jolidon France SARL” with the head office in Paris.

Jolidon, Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, Push-up Bra & Brazilian panty in White (above)

Having an office in Paris meant new opportunities for the company growth. Jolidon participated in the SIL Paris in 2003. The same year, the company completed integration of the Lectra system: design, patterns and cuts, and also invested in real estate by acquiring the majority of stock shares of the Cetate SA Suceava.

In 2004, the company acquired its main competitor on the Romanian market, a company called “SC Argos SA“.

Jolidon, Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, Push-up Bra & Brazilian panty in Floral print (above)

By 2005, Jolidon opened its second branch in France – in Lyon. And in 2006, Jolidon is presented two major awards: the “Award Audace Matiere at Ultralingerie” during the “Salon International de la Lingerie” in Paris and the “Superbands Romania” award for fashion.

That year, the company revenue has achieved 6,9 million Euro. The company has also launched its new child brand “Prelude” at the Lyon Mode City fair.  Also, the acquisition of LCS Conf SA, one of the most important textile companies in Romania, played an important role in the company development.

Jolidon, Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, Push-up Balconette Bra & Brazilian panty in Black & White (above)

In 2007, Jolidon also acquired the majority of stock shares of the “Emmeci Group“,  a company that was well-known in the lingerie world for its brands, such as “Infiore” and “Chiaro di Luna“.

Jolidon lingerie is distinguished for its joyfull combination of colors, materials and accessories that the brand offers to create a unique style without loosing freedom of expression. The determined professionals from this young, strong and dynamic organization, where people never say never, contribute daily to Jolidon’s main goal, a reinvention of every woman’s style.

The “Conturelle” lingerie is all about elegance, sophistication and seduction. Made in Germany, the Conturelle lingerie follows the traditions of the European lingerie fashions.

Conturelle, “Arabesque” Collection, Wired Bra & Mini Brief in Indigo color (above)

Conturelle collections do not stop to imress with an excuisite combination of fine lace, intricate embroidered patterns, the softest microfibers. The use of different fabrics and details – all work together to turn every lingerie item into the true work of art and also to create an unforgettable experience of elegance and comfort to its wearer.

Conturelle, “Fashion 72″ Collection, Wired Bra & Thong in Chocolate color (above)

Conturelle products are primarily designed to fulfill the needs of modern women with large cup sizes looking for an excellent fit, perfect silhouette, and attractive look. Conturelle lingerie comes in A-H cups and sizes 32-42. This “effect feminin“, the Conturelle’s motto, is achieved by a combination of sensuous aesthetics and fabulous comfort.

Conturelle, “Reflexion” Collection, Plunge Bra & Thong in Amethyst color (above)