Success Story

Success Story

The Early Years

Worldwide Expansion

Visions of the Future

A Hundred Years of Temptation - Triumph International

The Early Years

Worldwide Expansion

Visions of the Future

The story of Triumph International dates back well over a century and its history parallels developments in the world of fashion. Founded in Germany in 1886 by the Spiesshofer and Braun families, who still manage the business today, the company grew from small beginnings to Europe's biggest lingerie manufacturer and a leading garment maker throughout the world. Production began in a barn in Heubach, Germany, with just 2000 Goldmarks and six employees. Today the company has a turnover of 2.6 billion Swiss Francs and a workforce approaching 37,000.

Visionaires right from the start, by 1891 Triumph had already applied for a patent for producing 'see-through clothing from fabrics that were woven from glass, mica, celluloid, or non-dissolvable lacquered gelatine that allowed the light to shine through.' That same year the comapny won a contract to supply corsetry to puritanical England. In 1886 the founders declared their dedication to innovation, a philosophy that remains the same to this day and in 1902 'Triumph' was officially registered as their trademark. Triumph's first step to international expansion came when the company was 40 years old and launched in Zurzach, Switzerland. Today Zurzach remains the financial headquarters for the corporation. By 1930 Triumph had become the largest corsetry manufacturer in Europe. Lingerie and swimwear design took great leaps forward in 1942 and 1946. First the legendary film magnate and producer Howard Hughes cast voluptuous Jane Russell in the film 'The Outlaw.' She played an aircraft engineer who created a bra using the same principles as building an aircraft. Hughes' successful combination of fit and fashion echoed the principles of Triumph's designers and these continued as top priority. Only four years later, Lois Reard fascinated the fashion world with the 'bikini' - swimwear was about to take off and Triumph duly became the leading European swimwear manufacturer.

By the 1950's Triumph had become 'Triumph International' to reflect it's worldwide standing and employed 6000 staff. They expanded rapidly into countries such as Britain, Italy, Belguim and Norway. With this growth into new countries, Triumph became established as Europe's top lingerie manufacturer. In 1960, with the step into Hong Kong, the expansion into the Asian market began. In the same year, the Triumph workforce had grown to 14,000. Soon the company had independent subsidiaries for swimwear, daywear and nightwear and new technological developments such as moulding and high frequency welding, used instead of traditional stitching, were revolutionising looks and possibilities for Triumph designers.

Today Triumph International continues to lead the way as Europe's largest lingerie manufacturer, setting trends and creating new looks year after year. On a global scale, Triumph International is represented in almost every country in the world and the company produces and markets foundation garments, lingerie and nightwear, swimwear and beachwear, sportswear and leisurewear. So what about the future? Triumph predicts yet more change in the years to come. 2003 - Stronger cultural and fashion influences from the East adopted by the West, while Eastern consumers become even more interested in Western trends. 2004 - Introduction of simpler, more environmentally friendly packaging while lingerie designs become lighter and stretchier. Bras might be made from 100% recyclable plant fibres. 2005 - Fabrics can be permanently impregnated with fragrances from flowers to chocolate! 2006 - Fashion becomes more global, providing designers many new influences and inspirations.

back