Our Founder
Our story begins in 1908 with a great passion for shaving and personal care fostered by our founder and forefather, Attilio Bagnoli.
Attilio Bagnoli & Co. Brush Factory
“Attilio Bagnoli & Co. Brush Factory” is established in the Galluzzo area of Firenze. Production begins with blending bristles for the manufacture of industrial brushes and soon after, the first rudimentary shaving brushes are made.
In that nascent period, in his small artisan workshop in the centre of Florence, he started to produce his first masterpieces: extraordinary shaving brushes, made entirely by hand with great skill and precision, and increasingly refining his technique with an ever greater knowledge of his materials.
Porta Romana
In 1936, the “fabbrica pennelli” moves from the outskirts of Firenze to the heart of the city in the area of Porta Romana not far from the city gate from the 13th century.
Here, production continues to grow with a staff of around 30 workers under the management of our family’s second generation, brothers Renzo and Riccardo Bagnoli.
A Reputation Grows
By the arrival of the third generation, brothers Franco and Leopoldo Bagnoli, the business has a new impetus and our presence in the domestic market in Italy increases significantly. Our shaving brushes are loved by local barbers, who also order them for their wealthy customers.
Embossed front cover and pages from of one of our first sales catalogs featuring brush designs whose elements and inspiration can still be seen in our product collections today.
Sought By the Best
In addition to our brushes, the craftsmanship and high-end design of extraordinary razors with precious wood handles becomes known the world over as celebrities and prestigious figures abroad commission the design of fine shaving sets for their personal use.
During these years, we produced our own fine shaving brushes for the domestic market, but are also enlisted as the brush maker for leading European grooming brands and our little masterpieces are admired, to our great satisfaction, all over the world.
Mondial 1908
The 'Mondial' brand name is acquired, a brand for whom we have provided largescale production in the past. We always loved this brand and knew it would maintain the prestige and refinement that has always made it stand out in the crowd and would serve as an appropriate banner to take into our fourth generation of family leadership with brothers Marco & Francesco and cousin, Carlo.
New Directions
The Mondial 1908 brand range is enriched with new collections of fragrances, razors and brushes and becomes a benchmark for shaving and grooming products. Today, the brand is synonymous with sophistication and excellence in male grooming.
One of the new items introduced is our ‘Florence’ Colonia Suprema based on a fragrance created specifically for our founder by a renowned French perfumer and family friend. For years, we kept this aromatic cologne a closely guarded secret until deciding to share it with the world.
The 'Sphaera' set design process by Suprastudio Arch. Lorenzo Bagnoli of Firenze, Italy.
'Sphaera' Arrives
Our long tradition of creating the most sought-after wet shaving sets in the world is continued with the introduction of the ‘Sphaera’ in 2016.
A true piece of artistic design featuring a hand-cut stand from a single piece of precious wood with a voided center to allow for the perfect suspension of a shaving brush with a conical base.
Sphaera was recognized that year with the ‘Best Luxury Shaving Set Design’ award at the British GQ Male Grooming Design awards in Sweden.
Gentlemen's Barber at Ponte Vecchio
Mondial Gentlemen’s Barber is born just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio in Florence in the romantic atmosphere of Borgo San Jacopo overlooking the River Arno.
Designed as a space where one can rediscover the pleasure of traditional shaving, it is also a space where we bring to life our vision and concepts for the Mondial brand and the future of men's grooming built on our unique understanding of its past.
Celebrating 115 Years
As we look ahead to our fifth generation of family leadership, the Mondial 1908 brand continues to expand to new markets, including the United States, and refine our line of quality shaving and grooming products as we continue our search for style perfection.