Salvatore Ferragamo Brown Patent and Green Snake Loafers - 5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:
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 Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Manolo Blahnik Black Satin Strappy Heels - 36.5By Manolo BlahnikLocated in West Palm Beach, FLManolo Blahnik Black Satin Strappy Heels - 36.5. These beautiful heels black satin with criss-crossed straps. On the ankle strap there is a gold cl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Fendi Denim Slides with Multi-Colored Embroidered and Beaded Design - 7MBy FendiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLFendi Denim Slides with Multi-Colored Embroidered and Beaded Design - 7M. These slides have a square toe shape and a band over the top of the foot. The band is denim colored and has ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Alexandre Birman Ivory and Gray Python Flats - 36By Alexandre BirmanLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThese Alexandre Birman flats are gray and ivory python. The back is stretchy and the toe is rounded. They are in very good condition with some of the scales being lifted and minor bo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Shimmery Silver Slingback Heels with Bedazzlement - 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJimmy Choo Shimmery Silver Slingback Heels with Bedazzlement - 37. These heels have a shimmery silver color. On the slingback, there is a rhinestone ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Christian Louboutin Earthtones Snake Peeptoe Slingbacks - 42By Christian LouboutinLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChristian Louboutin Earthtones Snake Peeptoe Slingbacks - 42. These peeptoe slingbacks are made of earthtone colored snake skin. The heels are a burgundy color patent leather They a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Miu Miu Multi Colored Patterned Brocade Open Toe Slingback - 40.5 - SHWBy Miu MiuLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMiu Miu Multi Colored Patterned Brocade Open Toe Slingback - 40.5 - SHW. These fun shoes have a chunky heel and multiple colors such as blue, yellow, and coral done in a metallic bro...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Vintage Horsebit Gucci Shoes in Black Suede Size 7.5 With BoxBy FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThese black suede vintage Gucci shoes have the classic silver horse bit buckles and are marked a size 7 and 1/2 B. The calf suede shoes come with ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Black Satin Shoes Rhinestones Feathers Heels Size 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in Portland, ORThese black satin Jimmy Choo shoes are perfect for the holidays! These designer heels have pretty black feathers and rhinestones and are labeled a size ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Early 2000s Versace by Donatella Mirror Embroidered Silk Satin Mule 4.5" HeelsBy Versace, Donatella VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of bohemian-inspired pointed Versace slide heels, designed by Donatella Versace. This pair of heels are constructed of a black cloth e...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- F/W 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford Beaded 'G' Logo Black Satin Evening Pumps Size 8.5 BBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black satin square 'G' Gucci beaded kitten heel, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, these classic heels are amped up with a subtle sparkling square 'G' at the vamp. Step into these rare late 1990s Gucci by Tom Ford heels...Category
1990s Italian Heels
- Karl Lagerfeld 1990s Size 6 Black Suede Leather Bondage Inspired Vintage HeelsBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CACollectible vintage 90s KARL LAGERFELD black suede leather bondage inspired high heel shoes! Features three straps across the ankle with elastic at each side. Gold logo encrusted stu...Category
1990s Italian High Heels
- ALAIA black and creme suede ankle bootsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Beverly Hills, CASexy and fun Alaia suede ankle booties. size 39. Worn once. Note: see red marks on the side heels **ALL SALES IS FINALCategory
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes