Gottex
Encyclopedia
Gottex is an Israel
i swimwear manufacturer. It is America's top imported swimsuit label.
, a new immigrant
from Hungary who adapted her expertise as a raincoat manufacturer to create a pioneering swimsuit company.She sold her wedding ring for capital, bought fabric, borrowed a sewing machine and began to design swimsuits that were unique to Israel, inspired by the local light and colors: "the aqua of the Mediterranean, the golden yellow of the desert, the blue of Lake Tiberias, the pink of Jerusalem stone
and the greens of the Galilee
."
According to Gottlieb, Gottex collections can be worn "from pool to the bar," and then to a restaurant or cocktail parties. In addition to swimsuits, Gottex produces caftans, tunics and trousers, combining swimwear and beachwear. Gottex is a pioneer of swimsuits with hard-cup bras. It was the first to introduce Spandex
.
In 1997, Gottex was acquired by Lev Leviev
, the owner of the Africa-Israel Group. In 2009 Leviev sold Gottex to businessman Joey Schwebel. The creative director is Molly Grad.
Gottex is America's top swimsuit import. According to the Israel Export Institute
, exports of Israeli swimwear totaled $44 million in 1999.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i swimwear manufacturer. It is America's top imported swimsuit label.
History
Gottex was founded in 1956 by Lea GottliebLea Gottlieb
Lea Gottlieb is an Israeli swimwear fashion designer. She emigrated to Israel from Hungary after World War II, and founded the Gottex company.-Early life:...
, a new immigrant
Aliyah
Aliyah is the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel . It is a basic tenet of Zionist ideology. The opposite action, emigration from Israel, is referred to as yerida . The return to the Holy Land has been a Jewish aspiration since the Babylonian exile...
from Hungary who adapted her expertise as a raincoat manufacturer to create a pioneering swimsuit company.She sold her wedding ring for capital, bought fabric, borrowed a sewing machine and began to design swimsuits that were unique to Israel, inspired by the local light and colors: "the aqua of the Mediterranean, the golden yellow of the desert, the blue of Lake Tiberias, the pink of Jerusalem stone
Jerusalem stone
Jerusalem stone is a name applied to various types of pale limestone, dolomite and dolomitic limestone, common in and around Jerusalem that have been used in building since ancient times...
and the greens of the Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
."
According to Gottlieb, Gottex collections can be worn "from pool to the bar," and then to a restaurant or cocktail parties. In addition to swimsuits, Gottex produces caftans, tunics and trousers, combining swimwear and beachwear. Gottex is a pioneer of swimsuits with hard-cup bras. It was the first to introduce Spandex
Spandex
Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fibre known for its exceptional elasticity. It is strong, but less durable than natural Latex, its major non-synthetic competitor. It is a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer that was co-invented in 1959 by chemists C. L. Sandquist and Joseph Shivers at DuPont's...
.
In 1997, Gottex was acquired by Lev Leviev
Lev Leviev
Lev Avnerovich Leviev is a Bukharian-Israeli billionaire businessman, with a net worth of roughly $1.5 billion following the 2008 global financial crisis. Leviev is one of the most prominent Mizrahi Jewish individuals in the world and has been a major philanthropist for Jewish causes in Eastern...
, the owner of the Africa-Israel Group. In 2009 Leviev sold Gottex to businessman Joey Schwebel. The creative director is Molly Grad.
Gottex is America's top swimsuit import. According to the Israel Export Institute
Israel Export Institute
The Israel Export Institute is an Israeli governmental agency which operates under the Ministry of Trade and Labor to facilitate trade opportunities, joint ventures, and strategic alliances between international businesses and Israeli companies....
, exports of Israeli swimwear totaled $44 million in 1999.