Why I Created Jorgen House to Rethink Underwear for Women’s Changing Bodies
Women’s bodies are not designed to stay the same, yet most underwear is. That disconnect is the reason I created Jorgen House. After more than 20 years working as a lingerie, swimwear and sportswear designer, and experiencing first hand how much the female body changes through life, I realised something needed to shift. I saw a clear gap in how women were being supported through natural body changes. Jorgen House was created to rethink underwear as lifewear, designed to adapt with women through every stage, from pre and post natal to menopause and beyond.
My name is Leah Jorgensen and I am the founder and designer of Jorgen House. In this article, I want to share the journey that led me to create the brand, the experiences that shaped our approach to lifewear, and why I believe underwear should adapt with women through every stage of life. Whether you are exploring Jorgen House for the first time or are already part of our community, I hope my story gives you insight into the heart and philosophy behind the designs.
From Australia to Global Fashion Brands: My Journey
I began my career in Australia designing surfwear, where clothing had to perform, move and last. That early experience taught me that good design is never just about how something looks. It is about how it functions on a real body in real conditions.
Over time, my career evolved into lingerie, swim and sportswear. I worked with Lucas Hugh London, a highly technical sportswear brand, where I developed a deep understanding of performance fabrics, precise fit and how powerful it can be when design genuinely serves the wearer. From there, I moved on to designing and helping launch Ivy Park, working closely with Beyoncé and Sir Philip Green to create a highly successful sportswear line on a mass global scale. It was during this time that I became acutely aware of the scale of clothing consumption and the sheer number of garments being produced and discarded. Seeing fashion on such a mass scale made me realise how disconnected the industry often is from the people wearing the clothes. It also planted the seed for my belief that design should be more thoughtful, durable and sustainable.
Yet despite years in the industry, it was my own changing body that revealed the biggest gap in fashion.
A Turning Point: When Two Realities Collided
A month before I was due to return from maternity leave, I was made redundant.
It was a shock, both professionally and emotionally. I suddenly felt how vulnerable women can be during maternity, even when they are highly experienced and capable. That moment stayed with me and quietly reshaped how I viewed my role as a designer and as a woman. I was entering one of the most empowering times of my life, yet I felt unsupported in both my career and my body.
At the same time, I was experiencing firsthand how little clothing truly accommodates the changes a woman’s body goes through.
These two realities collided in a way I could not ignore. Being made redundant forced me to start again professionally at a pivotal moment in my motherhood journey, while living in clothing that did not support my changing body made the problem tangible. Together, they became the catalyst for Jorgen House, a brand built on the belief that underwear should adapt with women, respect their changing bodies, and support them through every stage of life.
What Pregnancy Revealed to Me as a Designer
Pregnancy changed how I saw clothing entirely.
Disposable Fashion Does Not Serve Women
I became aware of how much clothing is designed to be temporary. Items are made cheaply, worn briefly and discarded as soon as the body changes again.
This approach not only creates waste but also places pressure on women to constantly replace their wardrobes rather than rely on pieces that adapt with them.
Discomfort Has Been Accepted for Too Long
There is a quiet expectation that women should tolerate discomfort at various stages of life. Tight waistbands, restrictive fabrics and poorly considered support are normalised.
I believe comfort should never be treated as optional. Feeling supported physically has a direct impact on how confident and capable we feel.
The Question That Changed Everything
The question that kept returning was simple. Why is clothing designed around the idea of a static body, when women’s bodies are always in motion?
From hormonal shifts to life events, our bodies are constantly responding to change. Clothing should respond with us.
Creating Jorgen House as Lifewear
Jorgen House was created during a period of profound personal change. I was pregnant with my second child and it was during Covid, when isolation meant I had no access to fit models or studios.
Instead, I designed and fitted every piece on my own body as it evolved. Patterns were adjusted week by week. Fabrics were chosen for stretch, recovery and breathability. Support was built in without rigidity.
This process shaped the foundation of the brand. Jorgen House is lifewear, not occasion wear. It is designed to be worn before, during and after major life transitions. Each piece is made to adapt, to last and to feel good over time rather than for a single stage.
Designing for Change Across a Lifetime
As women move through life, their needs shift. Pre natal, post natal, hormonal changes and menopause are not isolated events. They are part of a continuous journey.
The same design principles apply throughout: adaptability, comfort, thoughtful support and longevity.
By focusing on these fundamentals, Jorgen House creates underwear that supports women wherever they are, without requiring them to constantly start again. This is the story at the heart of the brand.
A Brand Built on Respect for the Female Body
Jorgen House exists because women deserve clothing that understands them.
Every design decision is made with respect for how bodies actually work, not how fashion expects them to behave. Pieces are created to reduce waste, encourage mindful consumption and support women through years, not seasons.
This is not fast fashion. It is intentional lifewear shaped by experience and empathy.
Jorgen House was created from decades of design experience and a deep understanding that women’s bodies change throughout life. As the founder and designer, my aim has always been to create lifewear that adapts, supports and lasts. This brand is about meeting women where they are and moving with them through every stage that follows.
If you are looking for underwear designed to adapt with your body through life, you can explore our full collection here.
To learn more about the story and values behind Jorgen House, visit our About page.
Your body evolves. Your clothing should evolve with it.
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