SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Salvatore Ferragamo is a Florentine House of Luxury specialised in the crafting of fine hand-made products and leather goods. From 1927, creativity, impeccable sense of style and an obsession for details made this prestigious Fashion House conquer a place of honour within the fashion scene. The Florence-based, family-owned company continues to produce the shoes that once earned it the nickname "Shoemaker to the Stars," but also designs, produces, and distributes a full range of men's and women's clothing and accessories. In addition, Ferragamo sells its own branded perfume lines, eyeglasses, watches and jewelry. Salvatore Ferragamo constantly brings a new energy to Italian classicism, taking it to its point of risk: where classic meets audacity, irony and passion. A never ending vision to infuse timeless elegance, creativity, innovation and Italian glamour. With over 3.000 employees and an extensive network of 606 single-brand stores (332 directly operated stores), the Ferragamo Group is present in over 90 countries all over the world. 78 79 KEY FACTS STYLE MILESTONES • 1898 – Salvatore Ferragamo was born in Bonito, in the South of Italy. VARA BOW: the famous gros-grain bow made its first appearance on the shoes in • 1914 – He migrated to the United States. 1978. It became an instant hit, representing perfectly the elegant irony and the chic • 1923 – He opened his first boutique, the Hollywood Boot Shop. audacity of the brand. • By the time he was 25, he had invented and patented a shank that reinfor ced the instep of the foot. It was a footwear revolution, one that blended beauty with comfort. • 1927 – He moved back to Italy to set up an atelier in Florence, the cradle of craftsmanship. • 1936 – Ferragamo introduced a revolutionary innovation: the wedge. • 1947 – He was awarded with the prestigious Neiman Marcus award for his invisible shoe, made with nylon filament. • During the 50’s he created shoes for the most famous actresses of the time: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Rita Hayworth… • 1959 – Debut of the company’s first ready to wear collection for women • 1965 – Opening of the handbag division. • 1967 – Fiamma Ferragamo receives the Neiman Marcus award for her sculpted-heel designs, 20 years after her fathers. • 1969 – Appearance of the Gancino, which became one of the distinctive symbols of the company • 1970 – Men’s clothing and shoes introduced. • 1978 – Creation of the iconic Vara • 1989 – Opening of the first flagship store in the Far East in China. GANCINO: shaped like a backwards horseshoe, the logo was first featured as the • 1995 – Salvatore Ferragamo Museum opens in the Palazzo Spini Feroni. clasp of a handbag in 1969. This distinctive symbol is more than just that; it has • 1998 – First fragrance of the house created. come to represent the brand, appearing on a multitude of Ferragamo accessories • 2001 – Ferragamo Parfums established. and articles of clothing. The Company has a legend that the inspiration for the shape • 2008 – The house celebrates 80 years with a fête and the retrospective and design came from the wrought-iron gate of Palazzo Spini Feroni, where the “Salvatore Ferragamo: Evolving Legend 1928–2008” at Shanghai’s Museum Ferragamo business in Florence resides. of Contemporary Art. • 2003 – Launch of watches line • 2010 – Massimiliano Giornetti named creative director of all product lines. • 2011 – Jewelry collection introduced. • 2011 – Initial Public Offering on Milan Stock Exchange. • 2013 – launched of Tuscan Soul Quintessential Collection 80 81 STYLE MILESTONES STYLE MILESTONES WEDGE: The cork wedge is one of the most recognizable of Ferragamo symbols and TRAMEZZA: Salvatore Ferragamo's highest end of handcrafted men’s shoes. originated in an autarkic period to answer a specific functional need, that of Created with an handmade procedure that allows to achieve a complex construction replacing the steel plate that Ferragamo had patented in the Twenties to support the that helps balance sturdiness and resistance with peerless flexibility and comfort. arch of the foot. An authentic innovation which revolutionized the fashion industry. SOFIA BAG: The Sofia handbag owes its name and full-bodied spirit to Sophia TIES: Ferragamo ties are made from the finest silk and designed with signature Loren, the voluptuous Italian actress who dazzled Hollywood by her screen patterns that are immediately recognized as one of the finest Italian ties. presence in the late fifties. The Sofia bag became a cult leathery accessory, conquering the heart of fashion adorers. 82 83 STYLE MILESTONES CAMPAIGNS RUBYE PUMP: Season upon season Salvatore Ferragamo creates timeless shoes and the Rubye Pumps are the innovation of the latest season. Crafted in slick patent leather with a pointed toe, wide cuff and adjustable leather ankle tie, the Rubye pumps are sure to attract attention. 84 85 86 FEATURES SALVATORE FERRAGAMO FEATURES SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 87.