Heritage
1917
Berlei was launched in 1917 by forward thinking Australian entrepreneur Fred Burley. Innovative from the very beginning, Burley's commitment to producing quality garments with excellent fit whilst providing outstanding customer service every time was essential.
Burley conducted an anthropometrical survey of Australian women; the aim was to identify basic figure types so that ready made corsets might be designed to fit as if made-to-order.
1929
Fred founded Berlei UK with offices in Regents Street, London. Burley ensured his staff were trained to a high level and began selling products into Paris - as a result the brand was praised in Vogue.
1950’s
The first approved design for a maternity bra was developed in conjunction with the medical profession and was launched onto the Australian market. It proved to be an immediate success.
1980’s
Berlei designed the popular ‘Minimiser’ bra style, shaped to apportion larger busts so that they appear smaller.
1990’s
Innovation filtered into the 1990’s when Berlei launched the Berlei Shock Absorber sports range, endorsed by athlete Sally Gunnell.
1999
The film ‘Undercover’ was produced documenting the life of Fred Burley and the Berlei lingerie brand.
Brand Ethos and Values
Berlei celebrates women and their many life-stages. It's from these life-stages Berlei has taken inspiration to design practical and stylish dressing, everyday for every woman. Quality and well-being are integral to the Berlei lingerie design ethos and thus consistently expressed within all our collections, from careful fabric and trim design, to considered pattern cutting and the final product execution. We invite you to discover the 'new' Berlei.