Conceived from the attic of his home, Tom Hartigan launched Thomas Hartigan Enterprises, and branded his debut line as 'T.H.E. Swimwear'.  The year was 1988 when Tom Hartigan, after 25 years as a sales representative for Deweese and Mainstream/Penbrooke, pursued an opportunity to do what no one else had thought to do, or seemed able to do.  His pioneering vision was to make B, C, D and DD bra cup swimwear that was also proportionally fitted in a selection of styles, sizes, prints, but most paramount was that it would be very high quality at affordable, moderate price points.  This was something Hartigan felt the industry was sorely lacking at the time.

“When we started,” Hartigan says, “we committed ourselves to making the finest swimwear possible at the best price, so that we could offer our missy, women’s and mastectomy customers a great value.”

In 1991, Tom was even more inspired when Mary Hartigan, his wife and Michael Hartigan, his son, became active in the business, helping Tom fulfill his vision.  T.H.E. began expanding slowly and by 1992, a cutting room and sewing plant were purchased and moved into a 20,000 square foot building.

By 1995, another room was necessary, expanding the company to a 30,000 square foot facility.  In the constant effort to produce only the best, T.H.E. continually underwent upgrades to its sewing machines and in 1998, T.H.E completed a conversion from manual cutting to computerized cutting.

“One of our top priorities is giving the missy customer a flattering figure with a proportioned fit suit and camouflaging the area with prints that help hide imperfections that need to be covered, always keeping the ‘hourglass figure’ in mind", comments Tom. He explains that "proportional fit means that the front of the swimsuit is enlarged from the top of the breast to the waist so that it can accept different size bra cups, giving the best possible fit to the customer."

Other T.H.E. specialties include a large collection of swimwear for post-mastectomy needs and women’s swimwear.  Tom says that while most missy manufacturers offer two prints per style and limited sizing, T.H.E. offered 18 different color prints in each style, sizes that go from 6-20 and the choice of foam or molded B, C, D and DD bra cups.  In the mastectomy line, T.H.E. gives the special needs customer a variety of styles and sizes.  In the women’s line, sizes range from 18W-32W in 18 different prints and 10 different styles, all at affordable prices.

Because of its various unique designs, T.H.E. has remained very successful in swim specialty stores.  “They seem to convey our concept exceptionally well to the customer,” says Tom.  “Catalog houses are also excellent since our product allows them to offer a great selection and price.  Fortunately, T.H.E. has become a leader in the special needs field.  Because of the variety that we offer, 20 different styles which are kept in stock year-round from season to season.  Customers are satisfied that they can receive quick delivery at moderate prices and outstanding fabrics.”

“And of course, our biggest attraction is that we make it paramount, as far as retail customers go, that our main goal is to give them what they want, when they want it, exactly as they want it, no excuses.”

“This all goes back to quality control.  We knew that if we had our own people we could control the quality of the products by producing our own goods starting with the best fabric from the Guilford/DuPont factories.  Down to the designing, grading, marking, cutting, sewing, finishing and shipping directly from our facility in Huntington Park, California.”

Tom Hartigan explains that one of the key things recognized at T.H.E. is that people make the business a success and the company in only as good as they are.  “It's fortunate that our company has wonderfully talented people heading up our various departments,” he explains.  “Their desire to be the best has to be foremost in their minds.  This goes back to our cutters, sewers, shippers, and our corporate office personnel.  If you would ever visit our plant, you would feel the spirit of our associates and the security of them knowing they are respected and appreciated.  They give of themselves to do the best job they can. 

“We don’t want to be the biggest swimsuit company in the U.S., but we certainly aspire to be the best.  Our desire to please the customer is the most important thing we have to do.  Our mission is to add to the mix of swimwear sold throughout our nation with a suit that is necessary, appreciated, fitted properly, and affordable.” (end of original text)

***UPDATE:  This serves to update the above document, which was written prior to the passing of our founder and friend, Tom Hartigan in 2005.  The Hartigan family and everyone at T.H.E. remain dedicated and determined to move Tom's vision forward with the company as it exists today. Numerous members of the original team hired by Tom remain firmly dedicated and loyal with a positive can-do spirit that was reknowned with Tom, as are the newer members of the company's excellent team. 

Steve Corser joined the company in 1995, having represented numerous missy, contemporary, and junior swim lines in Florda.  His interest was peaked when he discovered 'T.H.E. Swimwear' hanging in one of his accounts, and he immediately felt this was a product he wanted to be a part of.  His experience with a key leader in the traditional missy swimwear market translated to a 'perfect fit', as he and Tom saw a mutual opportunity to greatly expand distribution, with Corser being hired as the company's first sales representative.  Other representatives were then brought on, and the company enjoyed steady growth over the next decade with expanded specialty and chain store distribution. 

In 2006, Michael and Mary Hartigan assumed control of the company, along with Corser moving into an expanded role overseeing sales, merchandising, production, inventory control, and helping pioneer, launch, and run the company's highly successful new separates program, christened by Michael Hartigan as 'Topanga'.  For the first time, the company now boasted two strong and popular brands, both of which sported new updated logos to convey a fresh and upbeat collection in tune with today's dynamic and demanding missy and women's swimwear market.  

Today, 'Topanga' by T.H.E. shines as the company's premiere separates program, covering all product classifications offered, and kept in stock year round. 'Life' by T.H.E. was then borne out of a rebranding of the original 'T.H.E. Swimwear' label, featuring all the classic and updated one-piece styles, across all product classes.  

                                                Life by T.H.E. & Topanga - Swimwear For A Relaxing LIFE!   

                                                                             Swimwear For LIFE!