Salvatore Ferragamo EU 40.5 Varina ballet flat
View Similar Items
Salvatore Ferragamo EU 40.5 Varina ballet flat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40.5 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Amman, JO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3336219809042
Salvatore Ferragamo
A perfectionist who as a child crafted a pair of white shoes for his sister’s first holy communion because his parents couldn’t afford new footwear, Salvatore Ferragamo was ambitious from his earliest days. The young Italian shoemaker established in the years that followed what would one day become a fashion empire — the highly profitable multinational family-owned and -operated luxury brand today counts more than 600 stores in 96 countries around the world, and vintage Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, belts, handbags and other clothing and accessories are objects of desire for fashion lovers everywhere.
Salvatore Ferragamo sought an education in the art of shoemaking when he was eleven — he apprenticed with a local shoemaker and spent a short time in nearby Naples learning what he could at a shoe factory. He opened his first shop with a handful of workers the following year, and in 1914 — when he was still a teenager — Ferragamo emigrated to America, just as his siblings had before him, seeking new opportunities for work and to learn in the footwear trade.
After securing a job at the Plant Shoe Factory in Boston, Massachusetts, Ferragamo was uninspired by machine-made footwear. He moved across the country to Santa Barbara, California. Owing to a connection he made with a then-actor cousin, Ferragamo found work with the American Film Manufacturing Company. He made women’s shoes and provided durable cowboy boots for a film crew’s costuming department. Ferragamo’s reputation in the world of Hollywood cinema soon broadened, and he established a storefront in Mission Canyon where he made shoes by hand for the likes of actresses Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo and Dolores del Río.
By the 1920s, film directors commissioned Ferragamo to produce shoes for a range of movies — the list of films eventually included The Ten Commandments, The Covered Wagon and The Thief of Baghdad. When he felt comfortable enough with the English language, Ferragamo also enrolled in anatomy courses at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in order to better understand motion and the demands that we place on our footwear.
By the late 1920s, Ferragamo sought to expand production of his shoes and returned to Italy. He hired scores of apprentices to work in a factory in Florence, where Ferragamo carefully melded the principles of handcraftsmanship with all that he learned about America’s shoe factories. He filed patents — hundreds over the years — on the steel shank arch and many other unique aspects of his shoe design, and when economic and political influences during the 1930s forced Ferragamo to substitute pressed cork for steel to support the arch, the wedge heel was born. Other creative materials he integrated into his forward-looking creations were hemp, felt, nylon fishing line, fish skin and cellophane twisted with silk.
In the late 1940s, the brand’s first storefront opened in Manhattan, and today Salvatore Ferragamo is known worldwide and is synonymous with a wealth of iconic footwear such as Viva ballet flats, Vara Bow pumps, Gancini loafers and lots more. Ferragamo’s son, Ferruccio, was appointed CEO in 1984. Under his leadership, Ferruccio diversified and expanded the fashion business further, getting into sunglasses, fragrance, watches and made-to-measure men’s shoes. Ferruccio was succeeded by his brother, Leonardo Ferragamo, and British designer Maximilian Davis is now creative director of the brand.
Find vintage Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Giuseppe Zanotti Black Charm Suede Loafers Size EU 38By Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in Amman, JOGiuseppe Zanotti Black Charm Suede Loafers, Features charm detailing, branded insole, almond toe, slip-on style and low heel. Material: Leather Size: EU 38 Overall Condition: Good ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Australia Luxe Collective Fame Suede Boots Size EU 41Located in Amman, JOAustralia Luxe Collective Fame Suede Boots, Features a rounded toe, 5-layer padded shearling insole, and silver hardware. Material: Suede Size: EU 41 ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Shoes
- Gianvito Rossi Lace V-Neck Bootie Size EU 37.5By Gianvito RossiLocated in Amman, JOGianvito Rossi Lace V-Neck Bootie, features a peep-toe, split V-neck vamp and topstitching around tapered collar. Material: Lace and Satin Size: EU 37.5 Heel: 10.5cm Overall Condit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Christian Dior Men's Oblique B23 Sneakers EU 42By Christian DiorLocated in Amman, JOChristian Dior Men's Oblique B23 Sneakers, Features round toe shape, high top and lace up style. Material: PVC Size: EU 42 Overall Condition: Exce...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Gucci Black Leather Babouska Crisscross Booties Size EU 37By GucciLocated in Amman, JOGucci Black Leather Babouska Crisscross Booties, features an open toe, gold embellishments, buckle fastening, crisscross straps and block heels. Material: Leather Size: EU 37 Heel:...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Golden Goose Super-Star Sneakers Size EU 36By Golden GooseLocated in Amman, JOGolden Goose Super-Star Sneakers, Features leather star, leather heel tab, gold lurex laces, handmade and made in Italy. Material: 100% cow leather Size: EU 36 Condition: NewCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Alexander McQueen Metallic Python Oyster Shell Wedge Pumps sz 10By Alexander McQueenLocated in New York, NYAlexander McQueen Metallic Python Oyster Shell Wedge Pumps sz 10Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Simone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Oxfords Shoes EU 39By Simone RochaLocated in New York, NYSimone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Shoes EU 39Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40By Alexander McQueenLocated in New York, NYAlexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40 Condition is new without original box.Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- NEW GUCCI 1990 camel suede Platform PumpsBy GucciLocated in Genève, CH-Suede leather -Camel color -Block heels -125 mm heel -Sold with dustbag and box -New condition -Size 40 FRCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
$341 Sale Price20% Off - GIANNI VERSACE Vintage 90's Medallion HeelsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Georgetown, MEIconic Vintage 90's GIANNI VERSACE Medallion Heels! I have an obsession with Vintage Gianni Versace shoes. I bought these iconic strappy...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- NIB Ancient Greek Sandals "Thebes" Tall lace-up Gladiator Blk. leather sandals.Located in Newport Coast, CANEW IN BOX Ancient Greek Thebes black leather lace up Gladiator sandals. I paid full price from the now closed Barneys. I can include the original receipt. These are such beautiful fashion forward sandals that can be worn with shorts dresses etc. I hate to sell these but I have never been able to wear these due to back issues therefore I cannot wear this style of sandal. You will not find these gorgeous NIB sandals anywhere. Box has scuffs and a small piece near the corner has broken off, I have the piece of cardboard. Details: Womens size: Marked US 7, Greece Ancient Greek Sandals...Category
2010s Greek Shoes