The Vollers story begins 125 years ago in Portsmouth when Harry & Nelly Voller set up shop and factory in 1899 in their single fronted house in Kingston Rd., Portsmouth but it soon grew and by 1905 Nelly produce her own brand under the name of MADAME VOLLER. The expansion meant the company had to move across the street to a larger shop complete with a first-floor factory and this is where the factory remained until 1999.

While the corset was not yet a fashion statement rather considered an essential item of clothing, Nelly still recognised the need to make corsets that were both feminine and practical, and offer items that were guaranteed to fit, and were individually made with each customer in mind. Then in 1918 Harry & Nelly retired and their son Bertram took over after serving in the 1st World War. Bertram married one of the machinists and Vollers once again became a leading manufacturer but now in girdles!

Bertram had the task of ‘reinventing’ the girdle and making it both practical and comfortable for women. With the company focusing upon girdles as a core product, rather than ‘just’ corsets it was ideal as little change was required in terms of the manufacturing process. Vollers therefore prospered towards the end of the 1940’s with the fashion forward wanting to showcase an hourglass figure, without having to wear a corset, and so they could, instead, wear a girdle over panties, along with a bra, this was especially helped with Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’ that came out in 1947.

In 1947 Bertram’s son, Derek, took over running the business and factory which was now producing girdles, corselettes and corsets, all of which were now back in demand, partly due to fashion wishing for the tight waisted 1950’s look, influenced by leading ladies of the film industry. At this time Derek also introduced handwritten notes going out with every order – offering that additional personalized service and sense of community that his customers came to appreciate.

Sadly, by the 1960s the burlesque industry, of which Vollers corsets profited from, was facing increased levels of censorship and interest levels and sales of corsets declined. However, due to the new influence of punk music and fashion trends soon a renaissance of the corset occurred. Becoming a symbol of romanticism and femininity, it also became an item that could be worn as outerwear rather than purely underwear. Vollers evolved with this trend offering corsets in a various material option to appeal to their customers and this trend.

Ian Voller, Derek’s nephew, bought Vollers with his wife Corina in 1991 due to Derek’s ill health. Ian and Corina introduced colour catalogues and saw them further develop the corset from an everyday item to one associated with high fashion, glamour and luxury, continuing to be inspired by the original patterns. Corina Voller also made a point to demystify the corset for her customers, demonstrating how it could easily fit into a woman’s and man’s everyday wardrobe. In 1994, ever evolving with the digital times, Vollers-corsets.com was launched.

As Vollers continued to grow their catalogues became collectable coffee table books that were produced in hardback and featuring a series of stunning photographs taken by a renowned photographer. At this time Vollers Corsets offered more than 30 styles of corsets with over 50 fabrics adorned in multiple materials, with every style available from waist training, burlesque, bridal, costumes, party and high fashion. Many celebrities wore the corsets, so they were often seen in films and theatrical productions. The Vollers Corset was and continues to be considered a timeless classic seen on many catwalks, creating the ‘hour-glass’ figure!

Hess Enterprises acquired the brand with the intention to remain true to the integrity and expertise of the family’s historical knowledge and expertise, in the division of lingerie and corset making, whilst introducing a fresh brand identity that resonates with both timeless elegance and the aspirations of the present. We are proud of our history; the Vollers family shaped the past and now we are shaping the future! The new collections and elegant designs are inspired from original patterns, keeping to Vollers secret recipe! We are dedicated to producing corsets that not only live up to the Vollers heritage, but also continue to innovate and inspire.