When the brand was founded in 1954 by Ada Masotti, a dressmaker from Bologna, it was known as L'Ape. Today, led by her son Alberto, the brand is famous worldwide for their luxury lingerie. La Perla's products are made with innovative materials like elastic lycra crepe, worked with masterly techniques: Cornely embroidery, macrame, soutache silk, and the Frastaglio technique. The brand also produces ready-to-wear clothes and beachwearfor women, and since 2002, menswear under the brand GrigioPerla.