Garolini

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Garolini was founded in 1970 by Bidi and Albert Finkelstein. The company produced its own line of hi-end women's shoes, and during its run, owned the licenses for such brands as Fendi, Halston, and Calvin Klein. The shoes were produced just outside of Florence, Italy. The line was a big hit on the New York disco scene in the 1970s, and held fans such as Andy Warhol and Liza Minnelli. Warhol was actually commissioned to paint a "stardust" painting of Garolini shoes for an advertisement in Vogue magazine. Artist Lowell Nesbitt also captured the shoes in an oil on canvas work. Bidi Finkelstein drove the style and fashion of each line, and was responsible for the invention of several footwear innvations, including the cork heel. The company was sold to U.S. Shoes in 1984.