Inspired by shoe forms and intricate details found in Baily's impressive archive, an elegant new toe shape and fine leather cut work are the graceful hallmarks of this modern collection for Spring/Summer 2013.
This season, the archive spotlight falls on a new blunt toe shape from 1961 that forms the basis of the sophisticated Butterfly shoe collection, offering flats to pumps in a variety of heel heights. Beautifully detailed uppers from the 1930s, characterised by the fine ribbon detail of cut leather work, have been devotedly embraced throughout the collection.
Merging these concepts, the result is a highly stylised collection of contrasting positive and negative layers, straight lines and curves, colour blocking, layering and sublime material mixes.
The collection showcases Bally's leather craftsmanship mq.stery, the signature element of the Swiss brand and its products, which feature the immediately recognisable techniques of cut-outs, mesh, perforation and embellishment, endowed from the brand's rich archive.
The shoe collection includes every summer essential: pumps, sandals and flats that mix precious python in chalk against soft nappa, while sturdy cuoio merges with cork wedges and resin heels.
Accessories flow effortlessly from the shoes with their elegant use of ribbon cut leather work, transformed into the Papillon range of totes, clutches, belts and statement neck pieces.
The Delfina range of accessories has been expanded to include an array of classic day to evening structured bags in exotic skins or soft nappa trimmed with lizard, each carrying the new Bally lock hardware.
While the shoe remains the inspirational force, the ready-to-wear capsule collection declares itself the accessory to the accessory with clean graphic silhouettes in organza, satin, soft nappa leather knitted ribbon layers and soft python used as whole or part of a garment. Engineered cut work necklines reflect the exquisite detail of the shoes and accessories.
Colours reference the 1960s work of British painter Ben Nicholson from when he lived in Switzerland. Chalk, white, oyster, nude, pale aqua, pale lemon, pale pistachio sit alongside soft gold, biscuit and graphic black, contrasted against pops of acid orange, yellow and green.
Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, Baily's Creative Directors Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler have continued their style evolution of the luxury Swiss leather goods house, taking the brand's strong heritage of leather work and design, reinventing it as an extraordinarily contemporary collection for Spring/Summer 2013.
