In a move that connects two distinct chapters of lingerie history, Wacoal International Corp. has agreed to acquire Glamorise Foundations Inc. This acquisition merges Wacoal’s post-war Japanese heritage of precision engineering with Glamorise’s century-old American legacy of size inclusivity.
Founded in 1949 during Japan's reconstruction period, Wacoal built its reputation on technical innovation and meticulous fit, becoming a staple in U.S. department stores. Glamorise, established in 1919, operated from a different principle from the start: crafting undergarments for a broader range of bodies long before the term 'inclusive' entered the fashion lexicon. Its current range, extending to a 58 band and a K cup, is a direct continuation of that founding ethos.
The strategic union is clearly forward-looking. Wacoal gains immediate expertise in direct-to-consumer digital commerce and specialized product development for fuller figures. For Glamorise, joining a global group provides resources to amplify its mission. As Mitch Kauffman of Wacoal noted, the partnership enables them to serve more women than ever. Jon Pundyk of Glamorise framed it as a new chapter, uniting their inclusive history with Wacoal's technical excellence.
This is more than a corporate transaction; it’s a consolidation of knowledge. It links Wacoal’s archive of millions of fittings with Glamorise’s proprietary designs like the MagicLift bra, suggesting a future where technical sophistication and historical breadth of sizing are no longer separate pursuits, but a unified standard.
Originally reported by WWD