Michael Rabinowitz Dies At 86

Michael Rabinowitz as we photographed him at the Lingerie Americas show in the summer of 2005.

Michael Rabinowitz, founder of Le Mystère Lingerie, died on September 26, 2026. No cause was given. A biography supplied by his daughter Natalie Rabinowitz, describes his birth in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1940, a trip to Paris as a young man, his marriage there to Anni, a young Parisian woman, and their eventual return to Cape Town where “he became involved with the French company Lejaby and eventually brought its business to the United States. In 1976, Michael, Anni, and their daughters immigrated to America and settled in Scarsdale, New York.”

Rabinowitz distributed Lejaby from a warehouse in New Milford, Connecticut for several years. But “when a change in ownership ended his relationship with Lejaby, Michael began another chapter. In 1991, he and Anni founded Le Mystère.” The new company “brought European approaches to fit, construction and design to American consumers, and Le Mystère became known for innovations including racer back and molded, seamless bras. The brand was eventually carried by major retailers including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Dillard’s, as well as boutiques throughout the United States and internationally.” In 2003 “Oprah Winfrey discovered Le Mystère’s Dream Tisha T-Shirt Bra and featured it on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her continued support brought the brand to an enormous national audience, and Michael eventually appeared on the program himself.” After leading the company for over two decades, Rabinowitz sold Le Mystère to Komar in 2012.

Michael Abraham Rabinowitz “loved fine dining, opera and classical music, art, literature, travel and rugby. He collected paintings, sculpture, books, coins and objects from the many places and cultures that fascinated him. He maintained a strong connection to South Africa throughout his life and remained deeply connected to his Jewish heritage.” He is survived by his daughters, Natalie and Stéphanie; his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Danielle and Nathaniel; and his siblings, Sorrel, Riva and Eli.