Bally: From Ribbons To High Fashion
By: Boyd Davis
Photo below: From the Bally Fall 2005 collection.
Photo courtesy of Bally

Bally started as a ribbon factory at the Swiss hamlet of Schönenwerd, Switzerland until 1851 when Carl Franz Bally started developing the first mechanised shoe-manufacturing technique with the help of local cobblers. (Before that, shoes were all hand made.)

Carl Franz Bally's distinctive shoe design of using strong silhouettes and detailing was enduring that it has lasted over 150 years.

During the Spring 2002 season, Scott Fellows took over the helm of Bally as the Head Designer. Under his direction, the brand underwent a fundamental shift, from very conservative, to upbeat and practical for both its menswear and womenswear line.

In early 2002, during the Fall 2002 season, Bally was put on the block by its current owner Texas Pacific.

Scott Fellows announced in July 2002 that he is leaving Bally. The Spring 2003 collection is his last collection for the label.

Shortly afterwards, Luca Ragonese was appointed as ready-to-wear designer and Johnny Coca as the accessories designer.

Spring 2005 (Photo courtesy of Bally)

Fall 2005 (Photo courtesy of Bally)

Website: www.bally.com

Address:
Bally Customer Relations
600 Reisterstown Rd,
Suite 716
Baltimore, MD 21208
Tel: 1-877-90BALLY
(1-877-902-2559)

Press Contact for
BALLY Womenswear:
Karla Otto
Tel: +39 02 65 56 98 1
Fax: +39 02 29 01 45 10

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