Salvatore Ferragamo’s journey began here, but his story soon took on a legendary hue. Located just across from the iconic Egyptian Theater, Ferragamo’s store soon became synonymous with Hollywood glamor, earning him the prestigious title of the “shoemaker to the stars.” Ferragamo’s shoes weren’t just footwear; they were works of art that graced the feet of the silver screen’s finest. His innovative designs and impeccable craftsmanship set him apart, making his name synonymous with luxury and sophistication. From Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn, his creations adorned the most famous feet in Hollywood, leaving an important mark on the world of fashion. Born in 1898 into a modest family in Bonito, Italy, Salvatore Ferragamo was the eleventh child among fourteen siblings of Antonio and Mariantonia Ferragamo ( (both had the same surname, which often happened in smaller Italian towns). His early passion for shoemaking became apparent when, at just nine years old, he crafted his first pair of shoes: a set of high heels for himself and matching pairs for his sisters to wear at their confirmation. This experience ignited a lifelong passion in Salvatore, leading him to realize that shoemaking was his true calling. After a year of studying shoemaking in Naples, fourteen-year-old Ferragamo opened a small store in his parents’ home. In 1915, he immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, where one of his brothers worked in a cowboy boot factory. Following a brief stint at the factory, Ferragamo persuaded his brothers to join him in California, first settling in Santa Barbara and later moving to Hollywood. It was in Hollywood that Ferragamo achieved success, initially by opening a shop specializing in shoe repair and made-to-measure footwear. Reluctant to accept that his shoes could be beautiful but uncomfortable to wear, he studied anatomy at the University of Southern California. After spending thirteen years in the US, Ferragamo, now thirty, returned to Italy in 1927, choosing Florence as his new home. There, he began creating shoes for notable women such as the Maharani of Cooch Behar, Eva Perón, and Marilyn Monroe. He opened a workshop in the Via Mannelli, experimenting with design, while applying for patents for his innovations. Despite facing bankruptcy in 1933 due to financial mismanagement and economic challenges, he managed to revive his business in the 1950s. By then, he had expanded his operations to employ 700 artisans who meticulously crafted 350 pairs of shoes by hand each day. Salvatore Ferragamo created “The Rainbow” in 1938, marking the platform shoe’s resurgence in the modern Western world. This iconic platform sandal was specially designed for the renowned American singer and actress, Judy Garland. The shoe was a tribute to Garland’s signature song “Over the Rainbow” performed in The Wizard of Oz (1939) feature film. The shoe was crafted using shaped slabs of cork covered in suede with gold kidskin straps. He was inspired to experiment with new materials to find those not rationed during World War II. Salvatore Ferragamo passed away in 1960 at the age of 62, but his name lives on as an international company, which has expanded its operations to include luxury shoes, bags, eyewear, silk accessories, watches, perfumes and a ready-to-wear clothing line. Following his death, his wife Wanda assumed leadership, later joined by their six children—Fiamma, Giovanna, Fulvia, Ferruccio, Massimo, and Leonardo—who continued to steer the company towards global success. His most famous invention is arguably the “Cage heel”. Fiamma (Salvatore’s eldest daughter who died in 1998) came up with the “Vara pumps” in 1978.
A museum dedicated to Ferragamo’s life and work opened in the Palazzo Spini Feroni in 1995. The palazzo had been bought by Ferragamo in the 1930s. (Photo credit: Museo Salvatore Ferragamo at museo.ferragamo.com / Wikimedia Commons). Notify me of new posts by email.
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