The images on this page illustrate some of the steps involved in designing and making bras and nylons slips in the 1950s. Several people working in the factory were involved in the slip manufacturing process - from laying, cutting and marking-up to sewing, pleating and pressing.
The article says:
The development of St Michael brassieres into what are - within the framework of the mass market - essential fashion garments, is a story of patience and achievement. If a St Michael bra today offers 'comfort and glamour' instead of 'bones and misery', it is not through luck; it is because executives in the department had the vision to plan a system of grading which would fit the great majority of women in over-the-counter - not fitting room - purchases.
PDF versions of both articles are available to download
You can also download the M&S Fashion Timeline which lists significant dates in the Company's history, particularly focusing on the development of its clothing and fashion brands.