The fashion legend of the shoe kingdom Salvatore Ferragamo began with a little boy’s dream. This story, which is widely talked about, can be read not only in the autobiography of Mr. Salvatore Ferragamo, but also seen in the feature-length documentary “Salvatore Shoemaker of Dreams” directed by Luca Guadagnino, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year. To become a master shoemaker of his generation, the key lies not only in Salvatore Ferragamo’s unique talent, but also in his dedication to the craftsmanship, fashion aesthetics, and comfort of footwear.
Mr. Salvatore Ferragamo, who has been passionate about footwear since the age of 9, has been determined to become an outstanding shoemaker. Starting as a shoemaker’s apprentice at the age of 11, he owned his own shop just two years later, where the first pair of custom-made women’s shoes was born. This is just the beginning of Salvatore Ferragamo’s fashion story. He did not stop pursuing his dreams and, with extraordinary craftsmanship, stepped into the world of Hollywood movies, becoming the exclusive shoemaker for many celebrities. His name has since been synonymous with fashion and creativity.
Salvatore Ferragamo is not satisfied with just the fashionable appearance of shoes, so he aimed to design “perfectly fitting” shoes by studying human anatomy. He discovered the areas of the foot that can withstand the entire body weight and applied his research findings to create stylish and comfortable shoes. Mr. Salvatore Ferragamo’s dedication to footwear is just like a sentence he wrote in the preface of his autobiography: “Strive to make well-fitting and comfortable shoes, refuse to sign your name to ill-fitting shoes.”
After returning to Florence, Italy in 1927, Salvatore Ferragamo established his first artisan workshop. With the introduction of “Ferragamo’s Creations Florence Italy,” he gradually embarked on the path to becoming an internationally renowned shoemaker. The attention-grabbing Salvatore Ferragamo headquarters, Palazzo Spini Feroni, located on Tornabuoni Street, was born in 1938, bringing a brand flagship store that occupies an entire floor. In 1995, the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum was opened, showcasing nearly 90 years and up to 15,000 pieces of footwear, including the Rainbow Wedge created for Judy Garland in 1938, the F-wedge Sandal that won the “Oscar of the fashion world” Neiman Marcus Award in 1947, and the Maharani Sandal designed for Indian princess Indira Devi.
It is worth mentioning the Audrey Ballet Shoes designed for Hollywood superstar Audrey Hepburn in 1954, inspired by the Native American Opanke moccasins, featuring an oval low heel and shell-shaped sole, exuding an elegant style. Additionally, Marilyn Monroe, who rose to fame in the movie “Some Like It Hot,” also wore high heels specially crafted by Salvatore Ferragamo, showcasing the enchanting beauty of a sexy goddess, with Ferragamo designing over 40 pairs of shoes for her.
To this day, this museum remains a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts, proving that Salvatore Ferragamo’s shoes are truly timeless classics. The iconic shoe styles preserved in the museum served as the blueprint for the 2006 Ferragamo’s Creations series. Salvatore Ferragamo based the collection on the original structures and lasts, meticulously recreating the classic shoe styles from 1927 with exquisite craftsmanship. The collection is further highlighted by unique packaging design and comes with an exclusive certificate, emphasizing its prestigious and classic fashion status. The Ferragamo’s Creations series of shoes, handbags, and other fashion items can also be found at the Salvatore Ferragamo flagship store on Canton Road in Hong Kong, including the famous Audrey Ballet Shoes and the Top Handle Bag adorned with the Gancini buckle.
Top Handle Handbag （HK$15,900）；Small Top Handle Handbag（HK$14,500）
A pair of dream classic shoes, unfolds the fashion story of Salvatore Ferragamo, also makes us understand that only thoughtful design can withstand the test of time, walking on the shoes of dreams, walking further on the road of fashion.
