Behind the brand: Bally

Switzerland is a fascinating place. Famously home to most of the world’s finest watchmakers, it is a country synonymous with precision and quality. Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Vacheron Constantin were all founded here, and each of them have carved out their own place in a notoriously competitive market, thanks to their unwavering attention to detail and storied heritage, which is evident in every new product they produce.

Switzerland is home to another iconic brand in a different sector however. Ever since their formation in 1851, Bally have created leather shoes to an exceptional level of quality, the likes of which can very much be compared to fine watches in their attention to detail and finishing.

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Shoes are of course the most important part of any man’s outfit. Bally recognised this from the very start, choosing to offer no compromise shoes that are made to last a lifetime. Carl Franz Bally, founder of his eponymous label, originally set out to create shoes from the finest quality leathers, using the most forward-thinking techniques of the time. He succeeded and this ethos is very much present in the brand’s present collections, most notably with the shoes pictured above, which are the lightest Goodyear welted shoes ever made.

The Swiss brand produce more than just shoes, however. Their SS15 ready-to-wear collection has been unveiled, showcasing a number of highlight pieces that will be at the top of our wish-list come springtime.

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This bomber is a particular highlight and, finished in a seasonal green suede and featuring a cropped slim cut, it’s one of our favourite pieces from the collection.

, There’s plenty of other classic outerwear pieces in the collection too, including this lightweight pea coat, which is finished in a versatile, neutral tone. We particularly enjoy the lack of shoulder epaulettes, which give it a streamlined, minimalistic edge.

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Elsewhere, colour is utilised in the form of rich burgundy, which brings to life both this chunky rollneck and suede mac. These contemporary updates on classic menswear garments have been executed to perfection, all of which hints at Bally having a another mammoth year in 2015. We can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

For more information, visit Bally’s website by clicking here.

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