BRAND & HISTORIE

In 1884, Albert HANschin and Carl ROnus founded a knitwear factory in the Swiss town of Liestal, naming it HANRO – and the foundation for an international success story was laid. As pioneers in the field of circular knitting, they manufactured top quality undergarments on machines specially developed for the purpose. Right from the early days, the company focused on high quality natural fibers. A rule to which HANRO has always remained true. Over the years, many valuable designs have been added to the archive. These priceless treasures still serve as an unfailing source of inspiration for our designers..

HANRO TIME CAPSULE
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Since our founding in 1884, we have captured the spirit of each generation within our collections. This has resulted in iconic collections that reflect the values of generations and shape the HANRO brand yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

HANRO is considered a pioneer
of the circular knitting machine and created a completely new wearing experience. Undershirts made from elastic tricot fabrics were an absolute novelty in 1884 and were particularly popular with modern women in Paris and London. With the soft, double-ribbed knitted underwear HANRO liberated women from the corset and thus made a fundamental contribution to emancipation.

In 1913 Coco Chanel, fashion icon and designer, recommended wearing simple HANRO tank tops under her groundbreaking elastic jersey dresses because HANRO undergarments were considered very stretchy and comfortable. Icons like Sarah Bernhardt and dancer Isadora Duncan swore by HANRO.

The new and exciting body-hugging:
the knitted slip-on pants with elastic waistband were a revolution in the 1920s. It was a completely new concept for women. This delicate elastic underwear completely changed the undergarment wearing experience. Knitwear was the fabric of modernity.

Madeleine Kriesemer-Handschin
granddaughter of the company's founder, was a designer who left a lasting mark on the style of HANRO lingerie creations. She traveled to Paris, Cannes, Nice, and St. Tropez, to study fashion and was inspired by the latest trends. Her cuts and color schemes were innovative and modern. She created a world first: lightweight, invisible brassière undershirts.

In 1936, women skiing in pants was a revolution.
The design of the knitted turtlenecks and elegant swimwear by Madeleine Kriesemer-Handschin, granddaughter of the company's founder, bears witness to her unerring instinct.

In 1951, in an era dominated by a traditional image of women,
the Swiss author and women's rights activist Iris von Roten became the advertising manager at HANRO. She was an aesthete on all levels and was always very fashionably dressed. She enjoyed working in the fashion industry.

Icons that define the brand:
Famous models such as Marcus Schenkenberg, Linda Evangelista, Carla Bruni, and Andie McDowell have been in front of the camera as campaign models for HANRO.

Read more about our values, about our commitment, our history. About how we ensure that our quality and style are lasting and that you can recommend HANRO with a good feeling.

*Photos: Hanro Collection, Archaeology and Museum Baselland, Liestal ©HANRO International GmbH, Götzis.

ABOUT US

1884	1910	1920	1930	1940	1950	1960

1970	1980	1990	2000	2010	2020

1884

FOUNDED IN SWITZERLAND BY ALBERT HANDSCHIN AND CARL RONUS

In 1884, Albert Handschin founds a knitwear factory in Liestal, Switzerland.

His vision: Lingerie of natural fibers, soft and comfortable to wear, for the elegant, modern woman of the times.

1910

REGISTRATION OF THE HANRO BRAND

In 1913, the trademark HANRO is registered - composed of the name of Albert Handschin and of his business partner Carl Ronus.

From the very beginning, HANRO prioritized its own patented circular knitting technology, which guaranteed the perfect fit and comfort.

1920

START OF INTERNATIONALIZATION, EXPANSION INTO THE USA

Ultra-light and waist-enhancing Spencer tops and circular-knit bodysuits made of the finest wool and silk are designed primarily to keep the body warm. Later, fashionable and seductive lingerie items supplement the look.

1930

DISCOVERY OF MODERN FEMININITY

Madeleine Handschin, granddaughter of the company founder, creates a world first: ultralight bra tops as invisible underwear. Sporty leisurewear also finds a place in the

HANRO collection with her beach and swimwear.

1940

INNOVATION VISCOSE

Due to the difficult period of the Second World War, in which wool is rationed, HANRO begins to work with new and innovative viscose fabrics made of cellulose.

Synthetic fibres are introduced only under the strictest quality criteria.

1950

HOLLYWOOD DIVA GLAMOUR

In the 1950s, HANRO builds on its reputation amongst the ladies of the world with elegant nightgowns and robes. The diva glamour of Hollywood is reflected in HANRO’s lingerie collections.

Seductive, figure-hugging lace creations celebrate the newly-discovered femininity. Marilyn Monroe, who wears HANRO lingerie in the famous scene from “The Seven Year Itch”, is just one example.

1960

RASCHEL LACE WITH FLORAL MOTIF

In the Flower Power era, the Raschel lace machines at HANRO operate in two and three shifts. The new products made of Raschel knit in bonbon colors and with flower motifs boom and make HANRO a world leader in the lingerie industry.

1970

CLOSENESS TO NATURE AND SPORTING AMBITION

Closeness to nature with sporting ambition is the recipe to staying young for longer. HANRO addresses the young and young-at-heart customer base with sport underwear in chunky rib knit.

The tendency for underwear to become outerwear is already apparent with a bra set worn as a bikini and a body as a swimsuit.

1980

SPAGHETTI TOP WITH CULT STATUS

In the 1980s, HANRO proves itself as a pioneer of a new, puristic, wellness-inspired aesthetic. “Back to classics” is HANRO’s motto as it launches tops made of the finest mercerized cotton.

The Cotton Seamless spaghetti top, worn for example by Nicole Kidman in “Eyes Wide Shut”, becomes a bestseller with international cult status.

1990

INCORPORATION INTO AUSTRIAN HUBER HOLDING

HANRO has now been a leader in the luxury lingerie sector for more than a century. Conscious of its long history, HANRO can depend on what it has perpetuated over generations: “Back to the roots”.

But this doesn’t mean resting on their laurels. Rather, it symbolizes HANRO’s own philosophy of guaranteeing its customers worldwide a high degree of consistency and innovative quality. In 1991, HANRO is integrated into the Austrian Huber Group with headquarters in Götzis/Vorarlberg.

2000

GROWING SIGNIFICANCE OF LOUNGEWEAR

Over the last years, the modern HANRO loungewear collections have increasingly reflected the casual trend of the new century. Casual outerwear shirts and dresses play fashionably with the idea of inner and outer, and blur the boundaries between underwear, nightwear, and outerwear.

In 2014, HANRO celebrates its 130th anniversary.

2010

“DESIGNER OF THE YEAR” AWARD

In 2016, HANRO is named “Designer of the Year 2016” by the world’s largest and most prestigious lingerie fair, SALON INTERNATIONAL DE LA LINGERIE, from among 500 lingerie brands.

2020

"SUSTAINAIBLE & LUXURY"

For HANRO sustainability is more then a new coming trend. Sustainability has always been lived and its a part of the brand DNA. Therefore HANRO still sets on modern, cellulosic fibers such as: TENCEL^TM. Together with modern Trend-Collections and the INDIVIDUALS @ HANRO concept, HANRO shows that underwear and nightwear can be more than it is. Through the Mix & Match collection it is possible to create new styles, where the borders disappear between, daywear and nightwear as well as between indoor and outdoor garmets.