Reger, Janet (1935–2005)

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Reger, Janet (1935–2005)

English lingerie designer. Born Janet Phillips, Sept 30, 1935, in London, England; grew up in Reading; died Mar 14, 2005; dau. of Hyman Phillips (in the textile industry); attended Leicester College of Art and Technology; m. Peter Reger (German chemist), 1961 (div., committed suicide 1985); children: Aliza Reger (took control of the Reger firm, 1998).

Began career in the corsetry industry; moved to Israel and lived on a kibbutz; with husband, formed the label, Janet Reger Creations Ltd., and opened a luxury lingerie shop in Paddington (1968); became a huge success with her "wisps of silk," opening shops in Bond Street, then in Paris and NY.

See also autobiography, Janet Reger: Her Story (1991).