About Marianne / Contact Monday, Jul 7 2008
Uncategorized 10:20 pm
This is the place to solve your innerwear issues by consulting Fit Expert Marianne Gimble.
Born in the small northeastern town of Heudicourt Sous Les Cotes in the French countryside, Marianne Gimble never imagined that one day she would apply her detail-oriented mind to helping women support their bodies through shape-enhancing intimate apparel. When Marianne moved to New York City to attend college she was intent on becoming a general practice physician and boasted a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Then fate, and love, intervened when she met Richard Gimble, who followed his father’s footsteps into the intimate apparel industry and, with Marianne by his side, founded Va Bien International Inc. in 1979. Today, the Gimbles preside over a respected shapewear brand that has won faithful followers the world over with its combination of expert craftsmanship, elegant French styling and technical ingenuity. Marianne oversees product design and serves as Va Bien’s shapewear fit expert, interacting with consumers, retail buyers and the media on behalf of the Company.
Marianne has most recently appeared on the TV shows EXTRA and Sonoran Living. She is all about supporting women, so let her help you feel more comfortable in a bra, body briefer, or whatever foundation you need for that new dress!
To submit a question, please post a comment or email Marianne directly at mg@vabienlingerie.com.

June 2nd, 2009 at 4:57 am
Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hi Marianne,
I am planning to buy the balconette t-shirt bra and I just wanted to check on the size before I ordered. I normally wear a 36D. I just lost weight and my bra sie went down from a 36DD.Can you please let me know what size I should order?
Thaks,
Lorianne
June 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hi Lorianne! Since you just lost weight I recommend that you stop by your local lingerie boutique or department store to get fit. Or if you don’t have time, you can email me your measurements and I’ll advise you on what size to order mg(at)vabienlingerie.com
–MG
September 4th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Marianne,
I purchased a seamless, wire free body briefer (#1190, size 36B)a few months ago. It is very comfortable and provides good support (waist cinch), however it is a bit “full” in the cup area for me. Do you carry any 36A briefers? Thank you
September 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Unfortunately we do not carry any A-cup body briefers at the moment - but I’ll certainly make a post should we add that size range!
-MG
November 9th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Hi Marianne. I’m getting married next year and am looking for the correct type of bridal undergarment to wear. Here is the dress I’ll be wearing : http://www.tupianguanjia.com/bin/2882/20071226/1094-1.jpg
What do you recommend? I’m 5′2.5″ tall and wear a cup size of 38D. Thanks in advance!
Kim
November 18th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Hi Marianne,
This is to say thank you for all your help. Thank you for personally going out of your way to find our (my sister and I) bras for us eventhough we could not find them on the website. Your professionalism and personal touch makes buying from you a breeze. I will continue to buy from you and will send all the women I know your way. Thanks again and ‘bon chance’ in all you do especially your business!
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Thanks so much Abena! It was my pleasure to consult you and your sister. Thank you for deciding to purchase Va Bien, though I’m just happy to help on this blog as an advisor
–MG
April 25th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
hello, great site, i am new to it but i know i will find so much great info from it. my bra needs are “strange” in that one breast is larger than the other by 1 cup size. i thought i saw a va bien bra in an ad that i could purchase to solve this problem- will it also give the appearance of “normal” from the outside view?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hi Lynne!
You must have seen our new D’Lite Stretch Lace Bra featured in InStyle this month!
Yes, it will certainly help give you an even appearance - the lace cups are supportive but stretchy enough to adjust to your size difference, and you can adjust the bra straps to further even things out. It’s really comfy too!
-MG
June 28th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I love the Va Bien shape wear! I have # 1190 and it lifts my bust and rear as well as smoothing my tummy.
I usually sew stretch lace around the leg openings to erase underwear lines, but with this item I don not have to.
I would, however, suggest that you add stretch lace to the underarm area to reduce lines there. I do this and it really helps remove the back bulge.
I use the stretch lace used on panties, which I buy, on sale, for this purpose. I was unable to find black or beige stretch lace in the fabric store.
Thank you for creating wonderful bodysuits, I have tried many and have found yours are the best!
Thanks,
Nancy
June 28th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Thanks Nancy, I appreciate the note!
That’s a very clever trick, you could be a designer! We sew stretch lace on the leg openings of a couple of our classic bodysuits, #1294 and 1292. A great technique to prevent show-through.
-MG
July 17th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Hi Marianne,
I have purchased the ultralift, style 1570 to wear under my strapless mother of the bride dress. My above breast measurement is now 39″, and around the fullest part of my bust is 41″. Waist is 35″ and hips are 38″. It fits well…I am still losing a little weight, however it is too long. any suggestions?
July 19th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Hi Diane,
Congrats on your daughter’s engagement, I’m excited for you!
Glad that the bodysuit fits. Regarding the length issue, it is true that the style has a long stride - as do most Va Bien bodysuits. Have you tried adjusting the position of the hook & eyes in the crotch area? Hooking on the last row of eyes will make the garment a bit shorter.
If however it’s still too long, I suggest that you go for a strapless bra paired with a control brief, such as these two paired together:
http://vabienusa.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=55&osCsid=3b351guaqkndjs355v2ovntbk7
http://vabienusa.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=95&osCsid=3b351guaqkndjs355v2ovntbk7
Hope that helps! Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
-MG
June 14th, 2011 at 8:38 am
Hi Marianne! I am getting married in a couple months and I am looking for something that is really going to take some inches off of my waistline. My dress is a strapless, sweetheart neckline, A-line dress. What are your suggestions for the best undergarment that is really going to hold my midsection in, shape my breasts, and control my back and love hangles too? I would like something longer, so it doesn’t push the fat down to my hips.
Thank you!
June 14th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Hi Amanda, please see my response here: http://www.vabienlingerie.com/supportsolutions/2011/06/08/love-thy-mother/comment-page-1/#comment-1337