Museo Salvatore Ferragamo

The Ferragamo shoe store

This past Wednesday I went to the Salvatore  Ferragamo Museum with my History of 20th Century Fashion class. The Ferragamo Musesum is a private museum dedicated to the history of the Ferragamo company, the life of its founder Salvatore Ferragamo and his creations: footwear, a remarkable blend of research, esthetics and innovative crafting techniques. We had a tour guide take us around the museum and talk to us about Salvatore and his shoe company. The museum was very high tech and was fun to walk around. There were lots of hands on activities for us to try. I recommend going and seeing it for yourself! It was a lot of fun! 

   

Born at Bonito in the province of Irpinia in 1898, Salvatore Ferragamo had a calling that was evident from his early childhood: making shoes. In 1914, still in his teens, he moved to the united States and Hollywood where he opened a store selling custom-made shoes that soon became famous. 

  

Some of his shoes for sale (about 1,000€ each)

The most famous movie stars were his customers and Salvatore soon acquired the nicknames, "shoemaker to the stars" and "shoemaker of dreams." When he returened to Italy in 1927 he decided to settle in Florence, the city renowned for its art treasures and artisan tradition. He opened a workshop and store in Palazzo Spini Feroni that he purchased in 1938. The fame of his shoes, that were admired for their beauty, fine workmanship and comfortable fit, spread throughout Italy, Europe and beyond, making Palazzo Spini Feroni a destination for the international jet set and movie stars. 

    

Sources: Ferragamo, Museo Ferragamo