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HERITAGE
HERITAGE

A young boy with a passion, a talented young man, a small leather workshop, and a friendship destined to last. Follow us back to the roots of Bianchi e Nardi 1946 to find out where it all began and take a ride through 90 years of Italian history.

A predestined encounter
Florence, 1935
Our story begins in Florence in the year 1935. There is a boy, his name is Aldemaro Nardi. He is just 11 years old but has great ambitions: he wants to become an expert leatherworker and open his own workshop.
Introduced by his sisters, Aldemaro is hired as an apprentice by Mr. Angelo Scuri, a famous master leatherworker, at his workshop in Piazza Scarlatti.
Among his coworkers is a young man named Mario Bianchi, who is also an excellent violinist and never separates from his beloved bicycle.
Mario teaches Aldemaro everything he knows, and Aldemaro is such a quick learner that he soon becomes a full-fledged worker.
War & business
Florence, 1936 - 1943
In 1936, Mario leaves for military service, but World War II will keep him away for much longer than expected.
Having learned the trade, younger Aldemaro wastes no time: he begins to create and produce handbags at home.
In 1941, he packs 5 samples, puts them in a suitcase and shows up at Guccio Gucci's workshop, starting a collaboration that will make him instantly popular.
At age 18, in 1943, Aldemaro is an entrepreneur. He ignores the call to arms and continues to work in an occupied Florence.
And luckily, he'll get away with it.
It all comes together
1943 - 1946
On September 8, 1943, the Fascist regime collapses. Mario Bianchi flees Rome and takes refuge in Florence.
Upon hearing the news, Aldemaro joins his friend and offers him a partnership.
Thus, Bianchi e Nardi is finally born.
In 1946, Aldemaro buys the company’s first headquarters housed in historic building located at 25, via Borgo Pinti, in the heart of the city.
He pays cash.
Raising to fame
1947 - 1965
With 50 employees and a growing business, things are going great for the company.
Guccio Gucci is now a loyal customer, and soon another fashion icon is going to be impressed by the creations of Bianchi and Nardi: Cocò Chanel! Aldemaro meets her in Paris through his leather supplier, Marcel Maison. Cocò is intrigued and, after buying a few bags, she proposes a collaboration that continues to this day.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the Bianchi and Nardi handbags become a favorite of our national diva Sophia Loren.
A great undertaking
1966 - 1980
In 1966, the dream of Aldemaro and Mario finally comes true.
The Bianchi e Nardi factory is born and the brand makes it to the best department stores in the world: Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Neiman Marcus in New York City, Isetan in Tokyo.
In 1975, the second generation joins the company.
On board of his yellow Alfetta 1600, Marco Nardi travels all around Italy in search of new customers.
The luxury brand era
1981 - 2009
In the 1980s, everything changes.
The era of small fine leather goods shops is over, and high-end fashion brands become the main players with their branded and advertised products.
Bianchi e Nardi’s workforce is now totally absorbed by their huge orders.
And so, for a long time, the company will become a supplier for some of the most successful haute couture brands.
Partnering with Sidney Toledano, CEO of Dior, Marco Nardi founds a twin company entirely devoted to the production of some of the iconic French brand’s leather goods.
The third generation
2010 - today
Over fifty years after the beginning of our story, the third generation takes the lead. Proud of their history and sensitive to innovation, Aldemaro’s and Mario’s grandchildren decide to pursue two parallel paths: supplying high-end fashion brands with excellent products and developing in-house collections.
In 2014, they give a new impetus to the Bianchi e Nardi brand by coining a new name, “Bianchi e Nardi 1946”, which pays homage to the company's foundation and heritage, and opening three flagship stores located in Florence and Milan.