The House of Bianchi e Nardi
The meeting between Mario Bianchi and Aldemaro Nardi
Towards the end of the war, when Florence was still under occupation, Mario Bianchi, an experienced model-maker and leatherworker, met Aldemaro Nardi, a young man with a strong entrepreneurial drive. Their partnership led to the idea of setting up a company dedicated to high-quality leather goods.
Bianchi e Nardi is founded
The two partners officially launch Bianchi e Nardi in Florence.
Production focuses on the creation of high-quality leather, hand-crafted bags and
accessories.
From the outset, the company works with some of the leading names in the Florentine
leather goods industry.
the 1950s
The growth of the company
In the 1950s, the company grows rapidly: the number of employees increases, production is on the rise, and the groundwork is laid for further development in the processing of exotic leathers.
The bags designed by Mario Bianchi reflect the classic style of the time: small, elegant, often Boston-style models.
The great fire
A fire caused by a can of adhesive destroys most of the Borgo Pinti headquarters.
The flames damage all the high-quality leather in the workshops.
Despite the disaster and the involvement of approximately fifty employees, the company amazingly resumes production after just four days.
The new factory
In June 1966, a new, more modern production site is officially opened, realising a project
that the founders had long dreamed about: a dedicated leather goods factory.
The Via delle Fonti site is opened in Scandicci which later becomes the main leather goods
district.
The Flood in Florence
Just a few months after the grand opening, Florence is flooded, seriously impacting the company’s new headquarters.
The factory is inundated with mud and water, testing the company’s resilience again.
Once again, Bianchi e Nardi succeeds in picking itself up.
The evolution of the fashion market
The world of leather goods undergoes a profound change.
The trend for designer handbags takes hold, and the demand for brand new models grows.
Mario Bianchi’s technical expertise in turning designers’ sketches into finished products is key.
THE 1980s
The company’s “crossroads”
The company undergoes a period of transformation in the 1980s. As Marco Nardi puts it, the artisan sector discovers the value of branding and image.
These are years marked by significant growth in the luxury sector, by international expansion and penetration of new markets, such as Japan.
THE SECOND GENERATION
The reins of the company are gradually passed to the family’s second generation who carry on the artisan tradition while embracing innovation and new markets.
THE 1990s
Internationalisation
Italian leather goods become a global symbol of luxury.
Bianchi e Nardi cements its role as production partner of leading international fashion houses, specialising increasingly in the processing of exotic leathers.
THE THIRD GENERATION
With the arrival of the family’s third generation, the company embarks on a new chapter in its history, keeping alive its seventy-year-old tradition of craftsmanship whilst introducing a more contemporary vision of the brand.
The return of the Bianchi e Nardi brand
The new generation reintroduces the historic Bianchi e Nardi brand as a strategic focus for the company, following decades dedicated primarily to manufacturing for leading international luxury fashion houses. The brand thus returns to telling its own story directly, highlighting its identity, craftsmanship and connection with Florence.
The opening of the first boutique in the heart of Florence.
The first flagship boutique is opened in Via Vacchereccia, just a short distance from Piazza della Signoria.
The venue becomes a showcase for the world of Bianchi e Nardi 1946 and a place where
visitors can experience first-hand the quality of fine leather and the company’s
craftsmanship.
A boutique at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Bianchi e Nardi 1946 opens a boutique in the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, one of the most iconic venues for luxury international hospitality.
The brand’s presence in this prestigious hotel reinforces its positioning within the international luxury lifestyle sector.
Opening of the Milan Atelier
The Bianchi e Nardi 1946 Atelier is opened in Via Bagutta, in the heart of Milan’s fashion district.
The venue is designed to be a meeting place for customers, designers and industry professionals, as well as a showcase for the company’s collections and craftsmanship.
The launch of the Home range
The launch of the Bianchi e Nardi 1946 Home range - a project that extends the company’s expertise in working with fine leather beyond the world of leather goods.
The collection features home and tableware items that showcase a new creative language combining craftsmanship, design and an in-depth knowledge of materials.
80 years in business
The company celebrates eighty years in business, an important milestone that tells a story of passion, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial vision passed down through three generations of the same families.
Our 80th anniversary marks not only a celebration of the past, but also the start of a new phase of growth and innovation, in keeping with the company’s hallmark artisanal tradition.