Berlei Lingerie

The company whose corset became British women’s “secret weapon” during the war started outlife as the dream of an Ozzie.

Fred Burley was born at Hamilton, Victoria, on 29 May 1885. He was educated in Ballarat, where his association with the softgoods trade commenced in 1899. Early in life he realised that knowledge was the key to success, and formed his characteristic desire for self-improvement. Aiming to excel in anything he undertook, he enthusiastically continued his studies at night to enable him to do a better-than-average job.



In 1900 he joined the firm of Brooks McGlashan and McHarg of Melbourne as junior in their Ballarat warehouse, was appointed Department Manager at Melbourne 1908, Sub-Manager at Sydney 1909, and Manager at Sydney 1910.

Later in 1910 he left his post as Sydney Manager to take up a half share in E. Gover & Co., Market Street, Sydney, where Mrs. Murdoch (then Miss Andrew) was employed. In 1911 Mrs. H. Gorell (sister-in-law) and another relative bought the remaining shares of the business and in 1912 additional new premises for E. Gover & Co. were obtained at Wilmot Street. Here it was decided to do the wholesale business only, and Mr. Gorell took charge of the factory.

Visualising the real possibilities of further developing the wholesale manufacturing side, Mr. Fred R. Burley decided to form a separate company, and asked his brother Mr. Arthur Burley, to join him. In July "Unique Corsets Limited" was formed with a nominal capital of ?10,000, paid-up capital ?2,500. Mr. Fred R. Burley was Chairman and Managing Director; Mr. Arthur Burley was Director and Secretary; Mr. H. Gorell, Director. In 1913 "Mr. Fred" made his first visit abroad to study materials and manufacturing activities. He made many subsequent trips abroad, and took every opportunity to study modern industrial methods in many countries, notably U.S.A., Canada and the United Kingdom.

Having a keen interest in industrial relations, early in the development of his company Mr. Burley established various welfare activities to benefit the employees of the company, which were then in advance of current practice. As early as 1917 Profit-sharing Certificates were issued to the staff, on which they received the same rate of dividends as the ordinary shareholders. This scheme operated successfully until it was replaced by a complete Staff Provident Fund.

In 1919 the name of the company was changed to Berlei Limited.

In 1923, believing that preference for the Australian-made goods was a vital thing in our national life, Fred R. Burley founded the Australian Made Preference League, and was its first President. At the end of that same year he founded Berlei (N.Z.) Ltd.

In 1926-27, at his instigation, a vast and systematic anthropometrical survey of women’s measurements was made. This was the first of its kind in the world, and as a result, Berlei Limited were able to make garments on a scientific health basis, and this resulted in the invention of the famous Berlei Figure Type Indicator.

In 1930 he founded Berlei (U.K.) Ltd., in England, and to-day this organisation is flourishing. At that time, it was unheard of that an article of Australian origin and design should be manufactured in England, and the soundness of Mr. Burley’s foresight and judgement was proved by the ready acceptance by British women of Berlei foundation garments.

What this means of course is that Berlei have and always will apply sound scientific principles to the manufacture of their lingerie which is specially contoured to take into account the modern woman’s figure requirements.

From seamless bras to the latest sexy underwear the current Berlei look is a thoroughly modern, sleek affair designed to make a woman feel good for what she has on under her clothes.

© Designer Lingerie.org.uk 2008

Home
Bookmark
Discounts

Lingerie Guides

Accessorise
Bridal
Buying As A Gift
Care
Celebrity Secrets
Cheap
Dressing Down
Exotic
Fabrics
French
Leather Or Lace
Plus Size
Sexy
Sizing
Spending
Tank Tops
Valentines

Bras

First Bra
History
Maternity
Plunge
Push Up
Sports
Strapless

Panties

Briefs
Thongs
Tips For Teens

Hosiery

Stockings
Tights

Nightwear

Nightgowns
Pyjamas
Robes

Brands

Berlie
Charnos
Gossard
La Perla
La Senza
Marks & Spencer
Pretty Polly
Triumph