In 1895, she sought refuge in New York City to join her sister Anna, where she found work in a sweat shop at $1 a week.
She then lived on West 112th St. in Manhattan, supporting herself and her son by making and selling negligees and tea gowns from delicate laces and fine silks.
Bryant created a comfortable and concealing tea gown by attaching an accordion pleated skirt to a bodice using an elastic band.
Her second innovation was mass producing ready-made clothing for women in larger sizes and this was the basis of further growth, with sales greater than for maternity wear by 1923.
A mechanical engineer with a degree from the Anhalt Polytechnic in Köthen, Germany, Malsin had worked for a firm that built amusement parks worldwide.
Her son Raphael served as the company chairman and chief executive of Lane Bryant from 1940-1972, followed in that role by his half-brother Arthur.