In 1851, brothers Fritz and Carl Franz Bally set up a shoemaking business in their family home in Switzerland. Three years later, Ftirz left the business, and Carl opened a shoe factory in their village, changing the company name to C.F. Bally.
By the 1870s, Bally had become a worldwide name in luxury shoes, and had established operations in France and South America.
Carl Franz Bally died in 1899, and his sons carried on the business. In 1942, Carl Franz Bally's home became the Bally Shoe Museum. After World War II, Bally expanded to the North American market, and in 1976 began producing clothes and leather accessories.
In 1977, the Bally family sold their controlling interest in the company. Bally is currently headquartered near Milan, Italy.
Bally shoes gained in popularity in the 1980s, when they were frequently mentioned in hip-hop songs. Bally shoes are known for their fine workmanship and materials.