It Girls Made It Famous, Reality Stars Made It Ubiquitous—But the Bandage Dress Started Here

Before it was the unofficial uniform of the early aughts It girl, the bandage dress was something far more radical: a completely new way of designing clothes. Hervé Léger didn’t just follow the bodycon trend—it pioneered a garment that sculpted, supported, and celebrated the female form with an almost architectural level of precision. And though the dress has gone through countless iterations over the decades, its origins remain rooted in craftsmanship and innovation.

To better understand the dress that shaped pop culture (and the history behind it), we spoke with Melissa Lefere-Cobb, division head and senior vice president at Hervé Léger. With nearly eight years at the brand and a storied fashion background, she’s uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the label’s iconic past and its modern-day revival. Here, she opens up about the origin of the bandage dress, its defining celebrity moments, and how today’s reinterpretation is all about empowering a new generation of Hervé women.

How long have you been working at Hervé Léger?

I’ve been with Hervé Léger for nearly eight years, starting when it was acquired by Authentic Brands Group. Having previously worked at Oscar de la Renta, I’ve always understood the value of a brand’s legacy. Hervé’s history was a major draw for me; few brands have such iconic DNA. From the beginning, I’ve been focused on honoring that legacy while evolving the brand for today’s woman. It’s a balancing act I take seriously: Respecting the past while building a future.

Do you know anything about what first sparked the idea of creating a bandage dress? Was there a single moment or muse that set things in motion?

The bandage dress was never about one muse; it was about every woman. Wrapping bands of fabric around the body to create shape without traditional tailoring was revolutionary. It was bold, sculptural, and unapologetically sensual. The goal wasn’t to fit into fashion trends, but to create a silhouette that flatters, empowers, and endures.

What were the biggest challenges in translating that stretchy, body-contouring idea into a ready-to-wear garment?

The biggest challenge was creating a textile that combined structure and stretch, supportive enough to sculpt the body yet refined enough to feel luxurious. We developed custom knitting techniques that required extensive trial and error. It wasn’t about cutting fabric; it was garment engineering. Getting the tension and weight just right took time and innovation. We’ve applied the same attention to detail and technique to the introduction of our day dress capsule, which we debuted this past spring. Women want to be the same level of confident when they are dressed for a night out as a day in the boardroom.

Can you share any memorable first sightings of the dress—on a celebrity, in a magazine, or even on the street?

Cindy Crawford wearing the bandage dress is one that always stands out. It was a defining moment that brought global visibility to the silhouette. It was such a full-circle moment for the brand and speaks to what we are doing for the next wave of Hervé women, when her daughter Kaia wore a reimagination of the dress. Hervé Léger has always been a brand shaped by the women who wear it, and as we look towards the future of the brand, I’m always so touched by how many trendsetting women of today want to reinterpret the classics in their own way.

How did the name “bandage dress” come about? Was that term part of the original plan, or did it evolve organically?

It evolved organically. People began describing the dress based on how it looked—like strips of fabric wrapped tightly around the body. Though it wasn’t part of a formal marketing strategy at the time, the term captured the aesthetic and caught on quickly. It’s now a permanent part of fashion vocabulary.

What role did branding—packaging, show staging, PR—play in elevating it to “must-have” status?

Hervé Léger and the bandage dress became a cultural moment. Every show, celebrity, campaign, and placement helped cement us in fashion history. The imagery was bold, the casting was powerful, and the message was clear: this dress was made for women who wanted to be seen and remembered. Just as red carpet and runway shows catapulted the brand previously, it’s been so fun seeing how young women are discovering the brand through social media, especially TikTok.

Is there a reason it became called the bandage dress besides the obvious?

Beyond the visual, the name resonated because of what it represented. The dress didn’t just contour, it supported. It offered structure in a way that felt empowering, almost protective. That symbolism contributed to its lasting impact.

As the bandage dress heads into its next chapter, what innovations or storytelling threads are you most excited to explore?

We’re incredibly excited about reintroducing the bandage dress to a new generation. Today’s woman is multifaceted. She wants versatility, comfort, and meaning in what she wears. We’re experimenting with new materials, more inclusive sizing, and storytelling that reflects strength in all its forms. It’s about evolving the silhouette while honoring the legacy, ensuring it remains relevant, aspirational, and empowering.

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