For more than a century, Hirshleifers has stood as a quiet monument to luxury retail on Long Island - a place where the boning of a well-made corset meets the steel of a family's resolve. Now, Lori Hirshleifer, alongside her sisters Caryn Hirshleifer and Shelley Shapiro, is steering the 110-year-old institution into a new era, one that honors the lineage of undergarment craftsmanship while redefining who gets to wear the crown.
Lori recalls her late mother, Lillian, who passed in 2025 at 97, as both mentor and muse. "She was such a force," Lori says, "and she taught me that listening to younger generations is just as vital as guiding them." It's a philosophy that mirrors the evolution of lingerie itself - from rigid Victorian stays to the elastic, inclusive shapewear of today. Hirshleifers, originally a purveyor of foundation garments when corsetry was still the standard, has adapted with the times, stocking everything from La Perla's silk confections to modern bralettes that prioritize comfort.
"I love building a team of women," Lori adds. "Support isn't a talking point - it's how we show up every day." Her advice to newcomers? Say yes to everything, even the unglamorous work. It's a sentiment that echoes the seamstresses of the early 20th century, who stitched intricate lace by hand, unseen but essential.
Since their parents stepped back, the sisters have tripled the business. "Family comes first," Lori says. "But when I see what we've built together - a world where shared passion outlasts any trend - I know we're carrying more than a name. We're carrying a legacy of support, stitch by stitch."
Originally reported by WWD