As the leader of Établissements Gillier, André Gillier also oversaw the construction of a new factory in Troyes, which contained the largest cotton hall in all of Europe. The factory is still in use today by the Devanlay group who bought Établissements Gillier in 1961.(3) 

In addition to being a philanthropist, Gillier was also a great innovator in the fashion industry. In 1929, he created JIL, the first branded men’s underwear and introduced a brief with both an elastic waistband and a side-opening fly.(4) In 1930, he also patented an adjustable waistband for men’s briefs.(5) JIL is still a popular brand in France, although it is owned by a Chinese company now.

Gillier is best known, though, for partnering with René Lacoste to create the Lacoste brand. André met the tennis player while looking to buy a Hispano-Suiza car from René’s father Jean-Jules (an executive at the company). As an expert in breathable, loose-knit fabric, André Gillier was the perfect collaborator for Lacoste in designing the first polo shirt. Together they created the famous piqué cotton used in the original Lacoste shirts that is still manufactured in Troyes today.

Gillier died at the age of 52 on May 16th, 1935. The Gillier family is still active in French fashion with Thierry Gillier, the founder of the luxury brand Zadig & Voltaire Brand being a notable example.