F/W 1997 Salvatore Ferragamo Runway Sheer Knit Catsuit Overlay Bodycon Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Never worn, with original tags still attached. Moderate areas of repaired pulls to internal catsuit and tears to knit overlay.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388217887972
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Mid 1990s Dolce & Gabbana Logo Black Bustier Corset Sheer Stretch CatsuitBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful sheer black Dolce and Gabbana body suit. From the mid 1990s, this incredible bodysuit features a v-neckline, thin straps, hook closures at the back, and a built-in silver-tone 'DG...Category
1990s Italian Catsuits
- 2000s Prada Black Ribbed Knit Stretch Tank Bell Bottom Catsuit StirrupBy Prada, Miuccia PradaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous black knit Prada body suit, designed by Miuccia Prada. From the early 2000s, this fabulous catsuit is entirely rib-knit and features a...Category
Early 2000s Italian Catsuits
- 1990s Dolce and Gabbana Copper Velvet Floral Embellished PantsBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of Dolce and Gabbana copper velvet embroidered pants. From the 1990s, these flare pants are constructed of lush copper velvet and are accented with beaded floral de...Category
1990s Italian Wide Leg Pants
- NWT S/S 1995 Gucci by Tom Ford GG Cream Cotton Linen JeansBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of off-white linen Gucci pants, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1995 collection, these high-waisted pants are constructed of a lightweight cotton and l...Category
1990s Italian Jeans
- NWT F/W 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford White Ruched Satin Ribbon Trimmed PantsBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of white Gucci pants, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2004 collection, these form-fitting satin pants feature ruching at...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- F/W 1991 Gianni Versace Purple Multicolor Gem Tone Baroque Print Denim PantsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of multicolored Roman Catholic-inspired denim pants by Gianni Versace, designed by Gianni Versace for the Fall/Winter 1991 collection. These denim pants made their ...Category
1990s Italian Pants
- 2000S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black Jumpsuit , Central Zipper Turns It Into A DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NY2000S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black Jumpsuit , Central Zipper Turns It Into A DressCategory
Early 2000s French Jumpsuits
- Vintage Tadashi Bodycon Black Velvet & Lycra Jumpsuit W Gold Studs & RhinestonesBy Tadashi ShojiLocated in Portland, ORThis absolutely stunning vintage Tadashi Shoji black jumpsuit would make a great evening dress alternative! The fabric is a blend of Polyester and Lycra and there sheer mesh raglan s...Category
1980s Unknown Jumpsuits
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 Pink Red Floral Sheer Nude Mesh BodysuitBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 “Natural Dis-tinction Un-Natural Selection” Pink Red Floral Sheer Nude Mesh Bodysuit Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2009 “Natura...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Mary McFadden Couture Evening Gold Lame Print Harem Pants & Gold Lace Zip TopBy Mary Mc Fadden, Mary McFaddenLocated in Portland, ORThis is such a truly stunning vintage evening ensemble from Mary McFadden Couture. The outfit is a perfect evening dress alternative and includes a pair of silk chiffon harem pants i...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Bartlett Silk Pants With Side RuffleBy John BartlettLocated in Water Mill, NYBeautiful John Bartlett black silk pants with a double layer of ruffles along the entire length of the outside of each side. The pants sit just below the waist, have straight legs, a...Category
1990s Italian Pants
- Christiana New Silk Beaded Pants 1990sBy ChristianaLocated in Water Mill, NYFabulous red, lilac and purple paisley pattern beaded silk pants from Christiana. The pants are mid rise with straight legs, a front zipper closing and lined in red silk. They are ...Category
1990s Indian Pants