The Lane Bryant logo symbolizes a stylish appearance for women of all shapes and sizes. The brand’s products are known for their unique cuts, which help create an elegant and refined look for pregnant women and those with curvy figures. The emblem reflects the company’s philosophy, which embodies the dreams of millions of women striving for beauty and comfort. The brand was founded by a talented seamstress who understood her clients’ desires and needs, making Lane Bryant a symbol of accessible and versatile style for every woman.
Lane Bryant: Brand overview
Lane Bryant’s history began in 1904 when Lithuanian immigrant Lena Bryant Malsin opened her first lingerie boutique in New York City. Initially, the business was called “Lane Bryant Malsin” and specialized in selling Lena’s handmade lace collars.
A turning point for the company came when Lena was asked to create a comfortable dress for a pregnant customer. She designed a stylish, comfortable garment that also concealed the pregnancy. As the dress became increasingly popular, Lena realized she had found a unique niche in the market.
In 1907, Lena married Albert Malsin, who helped expand the business. Together, they developed the groundbreaking concept of maternity sizing. The company became the first retailer to offer clothing designed for pregnant women.
1909, the business began selling through mail-order catalogs, greatly increasing its customer base. Despite some newspapers refusing to run ads because discussing pregnancy was considered inappropriate, the company continued to grow.
The 1920s marked a period of great expansion. 1923, the company opened its first store in Chicago outside of New York City. By the decade’s end, it had stores in several cities across the United States.
Despite the challenges of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the company continued to expand. It began offering plus-size clothing for women who weren’t pregnant, broadening its product range. Research showed that many American women needed plus-size options, leading to this decision.
In the 1940s, the brand continued to innovate and expand. The term “plus-size” was coined to describe its larger clothing, which quickly became widespread in the fashion industry. During this time, the company also began advertising more actively in magazines and on the radio.
The 1950s saw further growth, with the brand opening stores in shopping malls across the country and starting to offer plus-size clothing for men.
Social changes occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, and businesses adapted to new fashion trends. It introduced more stylish, modern designs, helping to shift the perception of plus-size fashion.
A new chapter began in 1982 when The Limited, Inc. (now L Brands) acquired the company. Under The Limited’s leadership, the brand continued to modernize and expand.
Innovation and growth continued into the 1990s. 1997, the company launched its first nationwide television advertising campaign, significantly increasing brand awareness.
In 2001, it was acquired by Charming Shoppes, Inc., which continued to focus on providing stylish plus-size clothing.
The 2010s brought a digital transformation. The business launched a mobile shopping app and enhanced its online presence. In 2012, Ascena Retail Group acquired the brand.
In 2015, the company launched the #ImNoAngel campaign, promoting body positivity and inclusivity in the fashion industry. The campaign was widely praised and strengthened its position as a leader in plus-size fashion.
By 2020, the business offered a wide range of clothing, lingerie, and accessories for women in sizes 14 to 28, continuing to evolve to meet the needs of its customers.
In 2020, after its parent company, Ascena Retail Group, filed for bankruptcy, the brand was sold to Sycamore Partners.
As of 2023, the company remains one of the leading names in plus-size fashion, continuing to adapt to changing consumer preferences and the evolving retail landscape. Over its more than a century of existence, the brand has grown from a small lingerie boutique to a national business specializing in plus-size clothing. It has played a key role in shaping the plus-size fashion industry, consistently adapting to societal changes while staying committed to offering stylish, high-quality clothing for women of all shapes and sizes.
Meaning and History
What is Lane Bryant?
This is a well-known American retailer specializing in plus-size women’s clothing. As a pioneer in this sector, the brand has influenced perceptions of beauty and diversity in fashion. It offers a wide range of clothing designed with fuller figures in mind, including workwear, lingerie, casual wear, and accessories. With its focus on fit and style, the brand became famous for providing stylish options that were once rare in the plus-size clothing segment. By featuring diverse models in its marketing campaigns, the company has played a key role in promoting body positivity and size inclusivity in the fashion industry. Beyond retail, the brand has also contributed to broader discussions about diversity and representation in fashion.
Old
The thin and elegant letters of the logo stand out with a play on glyph thickness, highlighting the brand’s specialization in tailoring clothing of non-standard sizes. The lower leg of the letter “R” smoothly connects with the glyph “A,” as if embracing the “Y” from below, symbolizing pregnancy and care for the future baby. This design element refers to the brand’s origins in creating outfits for pregnant women, among the first on the market.
The emblem conveys the comfort and ease that Lane Bryant clothing provides. The brand’s models ensure freedom of movement, allowing women to feel comfortable and continue working. Customers appreciate this quality. The company name was derived from part of the designer Lena Himmelstein Bryant Malsin’s name, using “Lane” instead of “Lena,” resulting from a bank error that eventually became a recognizable part of the brand.
Before 2009
The brand’s emblem acquired a new visual style, represented by thin black letters, highlighting its modern and fashionable character. Under the leadership of the founder’s husband, the company expanded and modernized, becoming one of the first to release maternity clothing advertisements.
The new letter style symbolized accessibility, comfort, and simplicity of cut, allowing pregnant women to appear slimmer and more elegant. The outfits skillfully concealed changing shapes while maintaining the sophistication of the look.
The logo also reflected a privacy concern. The brand introduced the option of remote purchases through catalogs, allowing women who wished to keep their condition private to buy clothing conveniently and discreetly.
2009 – 2011
The logo was updated after Charming acquired the brand and received a license to sell through catalogs. The founder’s first name is now written in thin lettering as a tribute, symbolizing a connection to the past. Meanwhile, the last name is presented in bolder and more flexible letters, highlighting the family dynasty, as after Lena’s death, the brand was long managed by her sons.
The difference in fonts also refers to the brand’s offerings for people with fuller figures who need a wardrobe refresh. The flexibility of the glyphs emphasizes the company’s core philosophy — comfort and convenience, which the designers incorporate into every item.
2011 – 2014
The logo again emphasizes the difference in the design of the name’s parts. The first name is rendered in a blue script font, resembling a signature, highlighting the company’s past, founded on the ideas and vision of its creator. This symbolizes the realization of the dream and creative concept of the female designer, Lena Bryant.
The last name, on the other hand, reflects the brand’s present. The thin letters represent accessibility and the specific niche that the company has successfully occupied. The brand conveys women’s desire to appear slimmer and more graceful through the unique cut of the clothing, which supports this idea.
2014 – today
The change of ownership to Dressbarn sparked a brand update and a logo redesign, which returned to its roots but was adapted to modern standards. The letters in the emblem were given wider and shorter proportions compared to previous versions, reflecting the expansion of the company’s range, from maternity items to clothing for individuals with fuller figures. This visual emphasis on the width of the symbols highlights a focus on customers with diverse body types while maintaining style and impact. Despite changes in glyph thickness, the emblem retains a confident, contemporary look, aligning with the brand’s primary goal—creating stylish and comfortable outfits.
The Lane Bryant logo exemplifies elegance and restraint. The letters are elongated vertically, lending a sense of refinement while preserving clear shapes that ensure readability. The brand name, split into two parts—”Lane” and “Bryant”—emphasizes the significance of the founder’s name, Lena Himmelstein Bryant, who began designing clothing for women with unique body types as early as the early 20th century. The brand’s history is closely linked to the evolution of fashion for all body types, and the visual symbol supports this connection, demonstrating respect for the past.
The color scheme—a classic black on a white background—emphasizes versatility, simplicity, and solidity, creating a sense of confidence and stability. In the logo, every line is meticulously thought out: thin horizontal lines add lightness, while vertical ones convey stability.
The font is minimalist yet balanced. It communicates the idea that the brand is focused on creating high-quality and comfortable clothing for women, regardless of their body shape. Lane Bryant remains at the forefront of the fashion industry due to its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, reflected in the understated and professional logo design.