History
In the early Twentieth Century,
Carlo Gandolfi, an Italian immigrant and his English wife Elizabeth
opened their first shop in Paddington, London. They started with
manufacturing hand made tap and ballet shoes. the business was growing
and in the late twenties the shop was moved to Chapel Street/Edgware
Road. By 1949 Gandolfi was a complete family affair and the shop at 150
Maryleborne Road was opened.
By that time all four children: Yolanda,
Valentino, Mario and Giovanni were involved. They had all been growing
up, chipping in to help the family business. Yolanda did the accounts,
Valentino specialized in shoes, Mario and Giovanni were the salesmen.
During 1952 the first big factory was
opened in Hemel Hempstead and for 30 years all the shoes were
manufactured there. In 1983 it became worthwhile for the factory to move
to a freehold site in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, where it still
remains today.
Apart from manufacturing shoes Gandolfi
also manufactures dance clothes such as leotards, catsuits etc.
Generations of dancers and actors are wearing Marios costumes. Most of
them are unique and exclusive. Some of Mario's costumes are world
famous, such as Freddie Mercury's sleeveless dinner jacket. After the
death of Giovanni Gandolfi in January 2000 the family business was
passed over to Derek Gandolfi (the son of Valentino Gandolfi and the
Grandson of Carlo and Elizabeth Gandolfi), leaving the business within
the family for the third generation
Gandolfi still manufacture specialized
outfits for TV, film and theatre
Any enquires can be made to the
Wellingborough address or via the
email
link.
