The Invisible Underwear That Hollywood Can't Live Without
A Red Carpet Problem (2003)
Kerry O'Brien founded Commando in 2003 in Burlington, Vermont, after identifying a problem that plagued every woman who had ever worn a fitted dress: visible panty lines. The solution seemed obvious in retrospect — create underwear engineered to be truly invisible under clothing — but the execution required genuine innovation in fabric, construction, and finishing.
O'Brien developed proprietary raw-cut edges that eliminated the visible lines created by traditional sewn hems. The brand's thongs, bikinis, and briefs used laser-cut technology to create edges that lay perfectly flat against the skin, invisible under even the most unforgiving fabrics.
The Hollywood Connection
Commando's breakthrough came through Hollywood's styling community. Red carpet stylists — professionals whose reputations depended on creating flawless silhouettes under couture gowns — discovered that Commando's products solved problems that no other underwear could. Word spread rapidly through the styling network, and Commando became the industry standard for red carpet preparation.
The brand's celebrity clientele grew organically, with A-list actresses, models, and television personalities wearing Commando under their most photographed outfits. Unlike traditional celebrity endorsements, this adoption was genuine — stylists chose Commando because it worked, not because it paid.
Beyond Invisibility
While invisibility was Commando's core innovation, the brand expanded into products that were designed to be seen — luxurious basics, printed collections, and fashion-forward pieces that maintained the brand's quality standards while offering alternatives to plain nude seamlessness.
Vermont Values
Manufacturing remained in the United States, with Commando's Vermont headquarters reflecting O'Brien's commitment to domestic production. The brand's presence in Vermont — far from the fashion capitals of New York and Los Angeles — reinforced its identity as a quality-first company where the product mattered more than the postcode.