Gottex is an Israeli swimwear manufacturer. It is America's top imported swimsuit label.
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Gottex was founded in 1956 by Lea Gottlieb, a new immigrant from Hungary who adapted her expertise as a raincoat manufacturer to create a pioneering swimsuit company.[1]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."[2]
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.[3] Gottex is a pioneer of swimsuits with hard-cup bras.[4] It was the first to introduce Spandex.[5]
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.[6] According to the Israel Export Institute, exports of Israeli swimwear totaled $44 million in 1999.[7]