1898-1960

Salvatore Ferragamo was born in Naples, Italy, in 1898. He designed the most astonishing shoes the world has ever seen. His children have created one of the world's most luxurious labels, marketing clothing, accessories and shoes.

Salvatore made his first pair of shoes at age 9. His parents were poor farmers and could not buy shoes for his sisters to go to church for their first communion. Salvatore borrowed materials from the village cobbler and made them himself. At 14 after studying shoemaking in Naples, he opened a shop in his parents home and took 6 workmen and they started hand sewing ladies shoes. He went to the USA at age 16 and reached California, where he opened a shoemaking and repair shop in Santa Barbara.

From 1914 to 1923, he created footwear for the American Film Company, then he relocated to Hollywood and became the shoemaker of dreams. He started by making cowboy boots for Cecil B. de Mille, the great Film director. For more than 30 years he shod the whole galaxy, from Lillian Gish in the first silent films to Marilyn Monroe in the Seven Year Itch. Greta Garbo purchased 70 pairs of shoes in one visit to the shop in Florence.

However, he could not understand why his shoes pleased the eye but hurt the foot. He studied anatomy at the University of Southern California to find out how the weight falls on the foot. After some experimentation, he perfected the perfect steel arch support that he inserted into the instep of every shoe. Women's shoes were now stylish and comfortable.

In 1927, Salvatore went back to Italy and set up shop in Florence. Throughout the 30's, 40's and 50's, his beautiful shoes filled the pages of the world's top fashion magazines. He made shoes for all the famous Hollywood film stars. On the left is a picture of him fitting Audrey Hepburn.

By 1936, he was using materials other than leather, such as needlepoint, lace, hemp, cellophane, raffia, cork - he even tried fishskin.

Left above is the 1947 "Invisible" shoe made with nylon thread and on the right is the 1938 sandal with gold kid straps and platform sole.

In 1949, he married Wanda Milleti and they had 6 children, Flamma, Giovanna, Ferrucio, Fulvia, Leonardo and Massimo. They followed in their father's footsteps and today the house of Ferragamo is bigger than Salvatore could ever imagine.

In 1952 Salvatore got the idea that his heels would last longer if made of steel, and so he fitted some to try out. They were a great success and he called them by the Italian name Stiletto.

He died in 1960, but his children continued the house to build what it is today. Leonardo was only 7 when his father died but when he was 14 he made a pair of shoes for his mother by hand. He continues to design, as also his sister Fiamma. Giovanna presides over the ready-to-wear production in Milan, Fulvia looks after silk accessories and has also recently added jewellery. They have broadened their product line to include ready-to-wear clothing that is simple but luxurious and also soft leather garments. Mens wear is another line.

For details about their million-dollar house, click on Ferragamo in the fashion designer section of this website.

click below:

Salvatore Ferragamo (Universe of Fashion) by Francois Baudot

Salvatore Ferragamo: The Art of the Shoe 1898-1960 by Salvatore Ferragamo

Cinderella: the Shoe Rediscovered by Stefania Ricci

Shoemaker of Dreams by Salvatore Ferragamo

AW 2002