POSTER TITLE: 80s Fashion Poster by Bernard Villemot, Belle Affiche La BALLY KICK 1989, Vintage French Advertising
ARTIST/DESIGNER: Bernhard Villemot (1911-1989)
PRINTER: A. Karcher
COUNTRY: Printed in France
MATERIAL: Offset Lithograph
TYPE: Advertising Poster
BRAND/COMPANY: BALLY KICK
DATE/PERIOD: 1989
DIMENSIONS: (42 x 64 cm) | (16.5 x 25 Inches)
CONDITION: (A) Excellent Condition.
BRAND/COMPANY: Bally was founded on a love story. Bally founder, Carl Franz Bally (1821-1898) was the son of a silk-ribbon weaver. After being inspired by and purchasing shoes he saw for his wife, while on a business trip in Paris, he founded 'Bally and Co.' in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland in 1851, along with his brother.Carl employed German shoemakers to hand-make shoes in the basement of his own home. He aimed to create exquisite footwear from the finest leather, using the most innovative craftsmanship, infusing a strong sense of functionality and modernity.The 175-year-old Bally became the Swiss luxury international fashion house synonymous with timeless luxury and elevated elegance that it is today by investment in innovation and applying the simple principles of patience, perfection and product quality. What many people do not know is the brand's secret lifelong 175 year old cool history of responsible business practices. In the company's early years, founder Carl Franz Bally pioneered a welfare system for employees including offering onsite facilities like a canteen, children's daycare and community park.Charlie Chaplin was featured in one of its advertising films in the 1930s, created by advertising industry pioneer Julius Pinschewer. Additionally, the Bally Rominger Ski Boots were worn by gold-medal winners at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics in 1948. In 1976, Bally expanded beyond footwear, and started selling clothing and accessories such as handbags. In 1990 they expanded globally, opening and growing operations in countries such as Japan, Australia, Turkey and Brazil.
Note: Bernard Villemot's work for the Bally Brand is highly sought after as it represents the best example of what made Villemot a legendary genius of the medium...his bold, brilliant and distinct use of elegant, strong lines, negative space and one of a kind color in addition to the always elegant figures often by transforming photographic images into bold, colorful artworks and simple forms can be seen in this wonderful rare and beautiful blonde Bally advertising poster signed Villemot. Villemot's collaboration with Bally started in 1967 and lasted 22 years, until the passing of the artist in 1989.