Zimmerli
Zimmerli is a Swiss luxury underwear and intimate-apparel brand founded in 1871.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Zimmerli is a Swiss luxury underwear brand whose history combines nineteenth-century textile innovation with a modern focus on premium men’s and women’s intimates. The company was established in Aarburg in 1871 by Pauline Zimmerli-Bäurlin, a seamstress and needlework teacher. The business emerged after the failure of her husband Johann Jakob Zimmerli’s red-dye enterprise, which was affected by the spread of aniline dyes. Following a newspaper report about Isaac William Lamb’s newly developed knitting machinery in the United States, Pauline was sent to Basel to receive technical training from Lamb’s representatives. Zimmerli initially made women’s stockings, men’s hosiery and underwear. The business expanded quickly, with Pauline joined by her son Oscar and stepson Adolf. In 1874, the company received Switzerland’s first double-needle knitting machine, enabling the manufacture of ribbed fabrics and knitted underwear at a level of consistency that helped establish a new industrial specialization. Pauline also developed her own knitting-machine innovations and communicated her ideas to the United States. From 1878, Zimmerli products were sold through Le Bon Marché in Paris, while the brand also developed customers in the United States. Under Oscar Zimmerli, who acquired Adolf’s shares in 1888 and converted the business into a public limited company, the brand gained international recognition at major expositions. It received a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition, another gold medal and the Grand Prix at the 1900 Paris Exposition, and a further gold medal at the 1910 Brussels Exposition. These awards reinforced Zimmerli’s early reputation for textile quality and technical achievement. The company changed ownership in 1920 and experienced economic difficulty during the following decade. It later repositioned itself around extra-fine underwear for men and women. In 1965, Zimmerli acquired a production facility in Coldrerio in the canton of Ticino. The company subsequently produced goods for licensees, but, like many textile manufacturers, encountered a broader industry crisis. A major restructuring began in the 1990s. Walter and Hans Borner acquired the Coldrerio production facility in 1992 and Zimmerli Textil AG in 1997. They ended licensing arrangements and concentrated the business on men’s underwear. In 1998, after a period of stagnation, Zimmerli introduced a new women’s underwear line that received an international response. Walter Borner was named Swiss Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. Nordeck International Holding acquired Zimmerli in 2007. Under management including Marcel Hossli, formerly associated with Patek Philippe, the company pursued a shift from premium positioning toward international luxury. This strategy included the opening of a flagship store on Paris’s Rue Saint-Honoré and a shop-in-shop at KaDeWe in Berlin in 2012. Zimmerli continues to associate the brand with refined materials, Swiss textile expertise, understated design and close attention to construction. Some garments remain produced in Switzerland, including at a Zimmerli-owned mill in Mendrisio and through Swiss manufacturing partners.
History
Zimmerli was founded in 1871 in Aarburg, Switzerland, by Pauline Zimmerli-Bäurlin, a trained seamstress and needlework teacher. The company grew out of the economic difficulties surrounding her husband’s red-dye business. After learning about Isaac William Lamb’s knitting machinery, Pauline trained in Basel with Lamb’s agents and applied the technology to stockings, hosiery and underwear. Her son Oscar and stepson Adolf later joined the business. The firm’s early development was closely linked to mechanical innovation. In 1874, it obtained Switzerland’s first double-needle knitting machine, allowing it to produce ribbed fabrics and knitted underwear. Pauline also designed improvements to knitting machinery and sent her technical ideas to the United States. The company began selling through Le Bon Marché in Paris in 1878 and found customers in the United States, giving Zimmerli an international profile at an early stage. In 1888, Oscar Zimmerli bought Adolf’s shares and reorganized the business as a public limited company. Zimmerli’s products received medals at international exhibitions: a gold medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889, a gold medal and Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition of 1900, and another gold medal at the Brussels Exposition of 1910. Pauline Zimmerli-Bäurlin died in 1914. Ownership changed in 1920. Following financial and economic challenges in the 1920s, Zimmerli recovered by emphasizing extra-fine underwear for both men and women. In 1965, the company acquired a production site in Coldrerio, in Ticino. It later manufactured products for licensees, but this diversification occurred during a period of increasing pressure on textile manufacturers and contributed to a broader corporate crisis. The company entered a new phase in the 1990s. Walter and Hans Borner acquired the Coldrerio production facility in 1992 and Zimmerli Textil AG in 1997. They reorganized the business, discontinued licensing and concentrated on men’s underwear. In 1998, Zimmerli added a women’s underwear line that was well received internationally. Walter Borner received the Swiss Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2006. Nordeck International Holding acquired Zimmerli in 2007. The new ownership appointed management associated with the luxury-goods sector, including Marcel Hossli, formerly connected with Patek Philippe. Its strategic objective was to move Zimmerli from premium positioning toward a more international luxury identity. The company opened a flagship store in Paris and a shop-in-shop at KaDeWe in Berlin in 2012. Zimmerli remains associated with Swiss production and fine knitted underwear. Some garments are made at the company’s mill in Mendrisio, while other production is undertaken by Swiss subcontractors. The brand has also gained visibility through film appearances and reported use of its underwear by actors including Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, Keanu Reeves in The Matrix, Halle Berry in Gothika, Jamie Foxx in Ray, Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line and Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine.
- 2012
Paris flagship and Berlin shop-in-shop opened
[1]Zimmerli expanded its luxury retail presence with a Paris flagship and a KaDeWe shop-in-shop in Berlin.
- 2007
Acquisition by Nordeck International Holding
[1]Nordeck International Holding acquired Zimmerli and set an objective of developing the brand as an international luxury label.
- 1998
Women’s underwear line launched
[1]Zimmerli introduced a new women’s underwear line that received international attention.
- 1997
Zimmerli Textil AG acquired
[1]The Borner cousins acquired Zimmerli Textil AG and subsequently focused the brand on underwear.
- 1992
Borner family acquires Coldrerio facility
[1]Walter and Hans Borner acquired the Coldrerio production facility and began a later restructuring of the business.
- 1965
Coldrerio production facility acquired
[1]Zimmerli acquired a manufacturing facility in Coldrerio, in Switzerland’s canton of Ticino.
- 1910
Gold medal at the Brussels Exposition
[1]Zimmerli received another gold medal at the 1910 Brussels Exposition.
- 1900
Gold medal and Grand Prix at Paris
[1]The brand received a gold medal and Grand Prix at the 1900 Paris Exposition.
- 1889
Gold medal at the Paris Exposition
[1]Zimmerli received a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition.
- 1878
Paris retail distribution begins
[1]Zimmerli products were sold through Le Bon Marché in Paris.
Products and positioning
Swiss luxury underwear centered on fine materials, technical knitting expertise, understated design and premium manufacturing.
Luxury underwear
Men’s underwear
Men’s underwear became Zimmerli’s central focus after the restructuring led by Walter and Hans Borner in the 1990s. The range reflects the brand’s heritage in fine knitted fabrics, ribbed construction and understated Swiss design. Zimmerli positions these garments around comfort, material quality and careful manufacturing rather than conspicuous branding.
Luxury lingerie and intimates · 1998
Women’s underwear
Zimmerli re-entered or expanded the women’s underwear segment with a new line launched in 1998. The collection extended the company’s fine-fabric and precision-knitting approach to women’s intimate apparel and helped support the brand’s renewed international development.
Knitted intimates · 1874
Fine-knit and ribbed underwear
Fine-knit and ribbed garments represent Zimmerli’s technical heritage. The company’s use of double-needle knitting technology dates to the nineteenth century and enabled the production of elastic ribbed fabrics. Contemporary products continue to emphasize soft materials, close construction and discreet styling.
Hosiery · 1871
Hosiery and stockings
Stockings and hosiery were among Zimmerli’s earliest products. Although the company is now primarily identified with luxury underwear, these products established its original manufacturing expertise in knitted textiles and helped build its early commercial reputation.
Brand decisions
2012
Luxury retail expansion in Paris and BerlinStrategyBackground
Nordeck’s management sought to give Zimmerli a more visible international luxury presence.
Action taken
Zimmerli opened a flagship store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris and a shop-in-shop at KaDeWe in Berlin.
Aftermath
The openings provided dedicated or premium retail platforms in two major European luxury-shopping markets.
2007
Acquisition by Nordeck International HoldingM&ABackground
Zimmerli changed ownership as its owners pursued a stronger international luxury positioning.
Action taken
Nordeck International Holding acquired the company and installed new management, including Marcel Hossli.
Aftermath
The new owners pursued a transition from premium underwear toward an international luxury brand, including selective flagship and shop-in-shop retail expansion.
1998
Launch of a new women’s underwear lineProduct launchBackground
After concentrating the business on men’s underwear, Zimmerli sought renewed growth and international relevance.
Action taken
The company introduced a new women’s underwear collection.
Aftermath
The line was reported to have been well received internationally.
1997
End licensing activity and concentrate on underwearStrategyBackground
Following the Borner family’s acquisition of Zimmerli Textil AG, the company was reorganized after a period of stagnation and textile-industry pressure.
Action taken
Management terminated licensing arrangements and refocused the business on men’s underwear.
Aftermath
The narrower focus preceded the launch of a new women’s underwear line in 1998 and supported the brand’s later luxury repositioning.
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