Salvatore Ferragamo
Salvatore Ferragamo Italia is a luxury fashion company which encompasses apparel for both men and women. The are well known and regarded for their product lines which feature leather, shoes, accessories and more recently ready-to-wear. The company was formed by Salvatore Ferragamo in 1928, after a series of operating several other ventures.
In 1914 Salvatore Ferragamo, originally from Italy was living and working in California. Through his small shoe shop he provided shoes and boots to some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, He became widely known as the Shoemaker to the Stars. Including Joan Crawford and Gloria Swanson. Over 30 years working in California, he shod the whole town, from Lillian Gish appearing some of the first silent films to Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch. The famed tale of Greta Garbo purchasing 70 pairs of shoes in one visit to the shop in Florence is testament to the products quality. His most valued work is Dorothy’s ruby slippers for the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz.
He returned to Italy and eventually purchased the well known Palazzp Spini Feroni, a palaces in Florence. the location today holds Salvatore Ferragamo Italia’s main retail shop and museum. In 1960 his wife Wanda took over the running of the company, which lead to a drastic expansion to their product lines. Under the new leadership, after the death of Salvatore, the company branched out into eyewear, fragrances, belts, scarves, bags, watches, and clothing.
The company has a long history of innovations and inventiveness. A philosophy instilled by Salvatore while working in the States. He had made great strides in developing unique and groundbreaking shoes. He pioneered the wedge heel as well as metal tipped heels and soles. His metal tipped heeled shoe was immortalized when worn by Marilyn Monroe. The modern day shoe owes it’s true beginning to Ferragamo.
Salvatore, regarded as a true pioneer, created many inventive and creative products. His truly bizarre object d’art work challenged the wearer and the public. But he remained dedicated to the development of footwear which pushed the boundaries of current trends as well as the imagination.
The Salvatore Ferragamo brand can be found exclusively at branded retail stores around the world. In Europe there are over 60 stores which are directly managed by the company. In the US the total number of shops is currently at 26. The company also has been building a strong presence in Asia Pacific territories, as well as Latin America. In total their are 550 branded retail stores all under the direct management of Salvatore Ferragamo Italia.
