Wacoal(Japanese:ワコール)is a manufacturer of women'slingerieandunderwear,founded in 1949 inJapanbyKoichi Tsukamoto.The company has divisions inNorth AmericaandEurope,and manufactures the brands Wacoal, b.tempt'd, Elomi, Eveden, Fantasie, Freya, Lively, and Goddess.
 | |
Native name | Kabushiki gaisha ワコールホールディングス |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| TYO:3591 | |
| Founded | 1 November 1949 |
| Headquarters | Kyoto,Japan |
| Brands | United States[1] |
| Website | www |
Company history
editThe name Wacoal comes from Wakō Shoji ( cùng giang thương sự ), the original legal business name (which meant harmonizing (wa,Cùng ) withKōshu( giang, short forŌmi Provincewhere founder Tsukamoto spent his childhood). Adding "forever" (aru,Lưu ) in 1957, the brand was formed.
In 1964, Wacoal established the Human Science Research Center to conductscientific researchon women's beauty, health, and bodies for product development.[2]
In 1985, Wacoal launched inAmerica.[3]To encourage potential customers to purchase the new brand despite the higher prices than its competitors, Wacoal's fit experts partnered with sales associates indepartment storesacross the country to educate consumers about the fit and quality of Wacoal products. Wacoal was named the best-selling bra in American department stores in 2005.[by whom?][4][independent source needed]In 2009, Wacoal launched b.tempt'd, an intimate apparel brand aimed toward younger consumers.[5]
In 2012, Wacoal acquired the Eveden Group, a UK-based lingerie manufacturer founded in 1920, bringing the full-figure brands Freya, Elomi, Fantasie, and Goddess under its corporate umbrella.[6]
Thai subsidiary Thai Wacoal Public Company Limited is listed on theStock Exchange of Thailand.[7]
Brand portfolio
edit- Wacoal,flagship brand, launched in 1949 in Japan and 1985 in the United States
- b.tempt'd,junior brand (sizes 30AA–38E), launched in 2009 worldwide
- Elomi,launched 2008 in the UK by Eveden Group, full-figure bras and swimwear (34 bands and up, D through K cup)
- Eveden,launched 1920 in the UK
- Fantasie,full-figure bras and swimwear, formerly produced by Eveden Group
- Freya,launched 1998 in the UK by Eveden Group, large-bust bras and swimwear up to K cup and sports bras and swimwear up to H cup
- Goddess,launched in the US and acquired in 2002 by Eveden Group, full-figure bras and swimwear
Product manufacturing
editWacoal products are manufactured almost entirely by hand. Much of the production occurs at WacoalVietnam,a manufacturing location established in 1997.[8]
Philanthropic efforts
editWacoal launched a bra in 1999 known as the Awareness Bra, which features a pink ribbon on each band to remind women to be conscious of their breast health.[9]In 2001, the Fit for the Cure campaign was launched to raise funds forbreast cancerawareness and research. Wacoal donates toSusan G. Komenfor every woman who participates in a complimentary fitting during Fit for the Cure.[10][11]
References
edit- ^"Trademark Status & Document Retrieval".tsdr.uspto.gov.Retrieved2 August2016.
- ^"Human Science Research Center's Activities | WACOAL HOLDINGS CORP".Wacoal Holdings(in Japanese).Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^"The vision of becoming a worldwide company | WACOAL HOLDINGS CORP".Wacoal Holdings(in Japanese).Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^"b.tempt'd".btemptd.Retrieved1 August2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^"About Us".btemptd.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2021.Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^""Our Story - Wacoal Eveden"".wacoal-europe.Retrieved17 August2016.
- ^https:// set.or.th/en/market/product/stock/quote/wacoal/company-profile/information
- ^"Technique and spirit shared beyond borders".Wacoal Holdings(in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2016.Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^"Wacoal at HerRoom".HerRoom.Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^"Wacoal - A Champion Partner for Susan G. Komen®".Komen.org.Retrieved1 August2016.
- ^"HerRoom and Wacoal Show Support for Breast Cancer Awareness".Marketwired.Retrieved1 August2016.