Collaboration BALLY x HEAD

In the autumn semester of 2020, the Studio* project, a key course in the first year of the MA in Fashion and Accessory Design at HEAD – Genève, featured a collaboration with Bally, a brand renowned for its shoemaking know-how. At the heart of the project was the creation of a shoe collection based on the DNA of the Swiss company founded in 1851.
 

The MA students in Fashion and Accessory Design collaborated with Bally’s team to create a shoe collection. The group was also given the opportunity to visit the rich archives of the brand in Schonenwerd, near Aarau.

Founded in Switzerland in 1851, Bally, one of the world’s most historic luxury brands, still combines the heritage of craftsmanship with a resolutely contemporary aesthetic. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the brand has teamed up with the world’s greatest creative talent, such as French illustrator Bernard Villemot for its advertising posters, or Le Corbusier, Robert Mallet-Stevens or Andrée Putman for the design of its boutiques.

From the presentation of the brief by Executive Vice Pricedent Merchandising & Design Morad Tabrizi to the production of the prototypes in the Bally factories, via archive research, the Studio enabled 16 first-year students to face up to the realities of studio design and the expectations of the industry. The project required in-depth analysis of the brand’s identity and the students to take a position on contemporary issues, before translating this into a form of design that also met technical constraints.

The students were supervised by Bally’s creative team at every stage of the project. They also benefited from the support of Thomas Massias and Raphael Brisson from the Arpent Studio(Paris) for the shoe design, and Valentina Persico (design & development, Paul Smith) for the technical development. The semester’s research was compiled in a photobook, produced under the supervision of graphic designer Florine Bonaventure (Gentlewoman, London). Documenting the project and the themes behind the collections, the publication combines disparate elements (archival images, material scans, screen images of working sessions, etc.) into a coherent sequence.

At the same time, under the direction of Luke Brooks and James Theseus Buck (Rottingdean Bazaar), the students created an experimental collection of clothing and accessories, using image and staging to reappropriate the themes developed in the shoe project. The creations were brought together on https://16fairies.ch. The website echoes the archival documents tracing the lives and activities of Bally’s employees. 

This BALLY x HEAD collaboration is the first project of a longer term collaboration between BALLY and the HEAD – Genève. The presented prototypes will undoubtedly be considered for the realization of future pieces.

‘Bally is committed to nurturing creative minds and crafting futures for the next generation. Our collaboration with HEAD – Genève is the first project in a longer-term partnership between Bally and the University, providing fashion design students with a valuable foundation in product development from conception to production.’ – Bally CEO, Nicolas Girotto

At HEAD – Genève, we favour a teaching method that stands the test of real life. The collaboration we have developed with Bally enables our students to face the professional world under the exceptional conditions of a historic Swiss brand with remarkable know-how. The long-term partnership we are entering into today with Bally offers our students the unique opportunity to acquire the experience and skills that will enable them to look forward to their professional future with confidence.’ – Jean-Pierre Greff, HEAD Director.

* The “Studio project” is an introduction to teamwork in a design studio. Under the guidance of an artistic director and industry professionals, MA students collectively develop a collection, facing up to the realities of the industry.

Students
Louana Aladjem : @louanaab 
Victoria Alexandra Davies : @daviesvictoria
Camille Boutet : @camille_boutet
Eléonore Cochener : @eleonore.cochener
Brigitte Dianzambi : @brigitte_daconceicao
Mathilde Fenoll : @mathildefenoll
Louise Marine Jarrige-Le Berre : @_ljib_
Norman Mabire : @normanmabirelarguier
Zoé Marmier : @zoemarmier
Jordan Martinez Quitana : @jordanmartinezquintana 
Eléonor Eugénia Petersen : @petersen_eugenia
Niels Raonison : @niels_raonison
Dhony Arvian Sutriesno : @arvian.dho
Sidonie Teikiteetini : @sidonie.teiki
Trystan Matthey : @trystanmoon
Zoé Kiner-Wolff : @zo_kinnerwolff

Professors
Emilie Meldem, Professeure Design Mode
Aude Fellay, Professeure Design Mode
Victor Prieux, Assistant Design Mode

Bally Team
Morad Tabrizi, Brand Director
Anna Schiraldi, Merchandising & Design
Benedetta Ferrini, Designer @befe89
Martha Chamoun, Designer @chamounmartha
Eugenio Marraffino, Designer @89eugenio

Guest designers
Footwear design
Arpent studio (Thomas Massias & Raphaël Brisson) : @arpentstudio
Valentina Persico : @v_a_t_i_n_a
Suivi publication:
Florine Bonaventure : @florinebonaventure
Suivi expérimentation ADN:
Rottingdean Bazaar (James Theseus Buck & Luke Brooks) : @rottingdeanbazaar 

About Bally 
Bally is a Swiss luxury brand established in 1851, with a rich heritage in shoemaking, and a longstanding relationship to architecture, arts and the environment. Today, the brand offers unique designs across shoes, accessories and ready-to-wear, driven by a dedication to craftsmanship and a contemporary aesthetic. Bally has over 320 retail stores and 500 multi-brand points of sale spanning across 60 countries worldwide, including a global e-commerce platform serving 58 countries. For more information, please visit Bally.com

About HEAD – Genève
HEAD – Genève draws on a two hundred year old cultural and artistic heritage to train young talents. Renowned for the quality of its Bachelor's and Master's degrees in visual arts, cinema, interior architecture, visual communication, media design, as well as in fashion, watch, jewelry and accessory design, it is considered one of the best art and design schools in Europe. With more than 700 students of 40 different nationalities, the campus located in the heart of Geneva encourages international exchanges, interdisciplinary collaborations and mandates with companies and cultural institutions.

 

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Collaboration BALLY x HEAD
© HEAD – Genève, Baptiste Coulon