A BRIEF HISTORY
A lot can happen in 100 years. We know because this year, Bonds turns 100 years young. From our early beginnings in 1915, as a small manufacturer of women’s hosiery to now as one of Australia’s most iconic brands, we’ve shaped ourselves to fit the needs (and bodies) of Aussie families.
From the get-go we've done things a little differently. We were never a company of corporate suits in a stuffy boardroom but a company with our own sports teams, a marching band, a library and even a hairdresser in our early years! In fact, Australia's first industrial psychologists were also an important part of the Bonds family. And this approach was embodied in our company slogan, coined by George Bond himself; "We don't work for each other. We work with each other".
FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS
It's these humble beginnings that haven't just helped us to establish a benchmark in great quality, but have allowed us to play a proud role in Aussie history too. From providing Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm with comfy undergarments for their record-setting flight across the Pacific in 1928 to dressing 120,000 volunteers at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in iconic uniforms that were as vibrant as the games themselves, we’ve come a long way over the last century.
We’re the first thing you put on in the morning and the last thing you take off. And with the next century shaping up to be even more exciting than the last, one thing has never changed – from 8 seconds or 80 years old, Bonds is for everyone.
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BLAST FROM THE PAST!
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
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1915
Where it all began - Bonds is formed
1917
We begin manufacturing at our Redfern pilot plant
1918
We move to Mallett St, Camperdown
1920
Bonds start producing the Men's Athletic Singlet, otherwise known as the iconic Chesty
1921
'Bonds' is officially trademarked
1923
Our Wentworthville Spinning Mills are established
1928
Bonds Industries Ltd is formed
1932
We start producing the Bonds Baby Vest
1938
Our Men's Athletic Singlet is remarked as the Bonds Chesty
1955
Bonds starts making the Bonds Cottontails Full Brief
1962
Bonds develops its first Baby Wondersuit
1964
We become an official Olympic sponsor
1966
The 'Keenies' , our first Hipster brief, is developed
1972
The 100 Millionth Chesty is sold
1984
Our iconic 'It's Gotta Be Bonds' advertising campaign is launched
1987
Pacific Dunlop purchases Bonds
1990
The Chesty clocks up 250 million sales
1991
Bonds produce the Bonds Bodysuit
1999
Our Hipsters are relaunched
2000
We provide the uniforms for the Sydney Olympic volunteers
2001
Bonds Bras are launched
2001
Sarah Murdoch becomes a Bonds Ambassador
2002
Pat Rafter becomes a Bonds Ambassador
2003
The Female Chesty is introduced
2004
Our Hoodie is born
2008
Our dance and performance tv ads hit the screens
2011
We open our Bonds Online shop
2011
Rachael Taylor becomes a Bonds Ambassador
2012
We begin delivering to New Zealand, Canada, United States, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR China and the United Kingdom
2012
Our very own Bonds Stores launch
2013
We open the our first Bonds Kids' Store
2015
We celebrate Bonds in a big way with our 100th birthday and our largest campaign ever, starring Bonds Ambassador Iggy Azalea
2016
We introduce the nation to ‘The Boys’ campaign, to remind blokes to upgrade their undies
2017
We make a splash with the launch of our Swim range for adults, kids and bubs
2018
Partnering up with The Reach Foundation, we set our sights on inspiring and empowering young people across Australia
2019
With game-changing cooling technology, we launch our innovative X-Temp undie range for men
2020
We kick off our partnership with LGBTQIA+ youth advocates, Minus18, by launching our first-ever Pride campaign
2020
In response to the COVID pandemic and bushfire crisis, we start producing face masks and donate over $1 million worth of clothing and undies to those who needed it most
2020
We begin our collaboration with Red Nose by launching Wondercool, the only baby clothing approved by them for safer sleep
2020
A new period in periods arrives with the launch of our leak-proof Bloody Comfy Period Undie range
2021
We celebrate 100 years of comfort with our iconic Bonds Chesty, reinvented in organic cotton
2021
Our map to a comfier future is revealed with the unveiling of our Planet Comfy online hub and 2030 sustainability goals