Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo, an Italian shoe designer and founder of luxury goods high-end retailer Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A., was born in Bonito, Italy. He gained reputation in the 1930s for his innovative shoe designs and use of materials like kangaroo, crocodile, and fish skin.

In 1914, at the age of 16, Salvatore Ferragamo moved to the US to live with his brother who worked at a cowboy boot factory in Boston. Despite being impressed by the modern techniques used in boot making, he was not satisfied with the final product.

At the age of seventeen, Salvatore Ferragamo emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, where he began his journey in the shoe industry. He later moved to California, where he found success in designing footwear for the cinema.

Salvatore Ferragamo started designing shoes for top celebrities, which became popular on the red carpet.

At the age of 11, Salvatore Ferragamo went to Naples to study shoemaking and later returned to Bonito to open his first shoe shop, where he was the youngest employee. This marked the beginning of his journey towards creating a luxury fashion house.

In February 1925, Salvatore Ferragamo opened a store on Hollywood Boulevard after gaining popularity for crafting cowboy boots for the serial film The Diamond from the Sky and attracting famous actresses and directors as loyal customers.

Ferra-Gamo Incorporated was established in 1926 in Hollywood.

Salvatore Ferragamo established the Ferragamo brand nearly 100 years ago, and it continues to grow in global markets while maintaining the core values set by him.

In 1928, Gloria Swanson wore 'The Bella' pumps designed by Salvatore Ferragamo in the film 'Sadie Thompson'. These black calfskin pumps featured ankle straps and oversized vanilla bows.

In 1933, Salvatore Ferragamo filed for bankruptcy due to bad management and economic pressure. Despite this setback, he was able to expand his operations in the 1950s.

'The Rainbow' was created by Salvatore Ferragamo in 1938 and was the first instance of the platform shoe returning in modern days in the West. It was designed for Judy Garland as a tribute to her signature song 'Over the Rainbow'.

Salvatore Ferragamo is the designer behind the iconic ruby red slippers worn by Dorothy in the movie The Wizard of Oz.

On November 9, 1940, Salvatore Ferragamo married Wanda Miletti. They had six children together: Fiamma, Giovanna, Fulvia, Ferruccio, Massimo, and Leonardo.

In 1947, Salvatore Ferragamo was honored with the Neiman Marcus Award for his innovative 'invisible' sandal design, which was considered a groundbreaking work in the fashion industry.

In 1948, Salvatore Ferragamo opened the first single-brand directly-operated stores in Italy, specifically in Florence and Rome, as well as in the UK, particularly in London.

In 1949, Salvatore Ferragamo created his inaugural handbag design, adding another dimension to his fashion repertoire.

In 1955, Marilyn Monroe wore white strappy stilettos designed by Ferragamo for her role as 'The Girl' in The Seven Year Itch. The shoes became iconic in the scene where her skirt billows atop a windy Manhattan subway-grate.

In 1956, Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo displayed the lasts of all the shoes he had made in his shop in Florence. Ferragamo, known for designing footwear for royalty and film stars, showcased his craftsmanship and innovation.

A pair of shoes designed by Salvatore Ferragamo around 1958.

Salvatore Ferragamo passed away on August 7, 1960.

In 1965, Salvatore Ferragamo presented its first collections of leather goods and ready-to-wear ladies' wear, showcasing the brand's diversification and innovation.

In 1967, Fiamma di San Giuliano Ferragamo received another Neiman Marcus award for her innovative designs in footwear.

Fiamma Ferragamo, Salvatore's eldest daughter, came up with the 'Vara pumps' in 1978. This design became one of the most famous inventions associated with the Ferragamo brand.

A pair of evening sandals designed by Salvatore Ferragamo around 1981.

The Ferragamo family established the museum in May 1995 to showcase the artistic legacy of Salvatore Ferragamo in the realm of footwear and international fashion.

Fiamma Ferragamo di San Giuliano, who passed away in 1998, played a significant role in creating iconic products for the brand such as the Vara shoe and the Gancino.

In 1999, Salvatore Ferragamo was honored with the Guggenheim Impresa e Cultura Award for the cultural significance of Museo Salvatore Ferragamo and its various cultural initiatives.

In 2001, Salvatore Ferragamo opened its first Directly Operated Store (DOS) in Latin America, specifically in Mexico City.

In 2006, Ferragamo acquired Bulgari S.p.A.'s entire holding in Ferragamo Parfums, marking a significant move in the fragrance industry.

In 2008, Salvatore Ferragamo opened its first Directly Operated Store (DOS) in India, specifically in Mumbai, expanding its presence in the Indian market.

In 2009, Salvatore Ferragamo opened its first flagship store in the Middle East, specifically in Dubai, catering to the growing luxury market in the region.

In 2010, the luxury fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo launched its new website www.ferragamo.com with e-commerce capabilities in the main European Union countries and the United States, expanding its online presence and accessibility to customers.

In 2011, Salvatore Ferragamo conducted its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Milan Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in the company's financial history.

In March 2013, Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. founded the Ferragamo Foundation in Florence to support and nurture young fashion designers, inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo's vision.

The exhibition titled 'A Palace and the City' took place from May 8, 2015, to April 6, 2016, showcasing the history of the Ferragamo company, the life of its founder, and his creations.

Since November 2016, Museo Salvatore Ferragamo has been an official member of ICOM, the prominent International Council of Museums.

A brief overview of the history of Salvatore Ferragamo, a renowned Italian fashion designer.

Fulvia Visconti-Ferragamo, who managed the fashion label's silk accessories division from the 1970s, passed away in March 2018. She also held the position of Deputy Chairwoman of Ferragamo Finanziaria SpA.

Italian film director Luca Guadagnino announced the release of his 2020 biopic on iconic shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo, titled Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams, in the United States.

True Fashionistas in Florida offers a curated selection of Salvatore Ferragamo footwear and more. Customers can sign up for emails to receive additional discounts on already reduced prices.

In 2024, Salvatore Ferragamo S.P.A. was established as a luxury fashion house.