Salvatore Ferragamo

Ferragamo himself passed away in 1960, but his inspiration can still be seen in the stunning designs and high-quality workmanship of the shoes that made him famous. Born in 1896, in a small town near Naples, Salvatore was one of 14 children. Remarkably, he made his first pair of shoes at the tender age of nine, when his farmer parents couldn't afford to buy footwear for his sister's first communion. Having borrowed some materials from a nearby cobbler, Salvatore set to work--and the career that was to make his name was started.

His first store was opened in his parents home when Salvatore was just 14, but it wasn't long before he had made the move to California, where he soon became famous. He became the shoemaker to the stars. Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn and Sofia Loren were just some of the famous names who wore Ferragamo footwear, and the designer continued to create stunning new designs right up to his death, at the age of 62.

Today, the Salvatore Ferragamo museum in Florence is a Mecca to shoe lovers around the world. You'll find more than 10,000 shoes under its roof, with styles going right back to the 1920s--a true shoe heaven!

Ferragamo Today

Today's Salvatore Ferragamo is a fashion label which includes much more than just the shoes which started it on the road to fame. Handbags, sunglasses, leather goods and accessories are all available, along with a small ready-to-wear clothing collection. If shoppers find themselves seduced by Ferragamos other wares, however, it's still the shoes that most of them come for. Both men's and women's styles make up the current collection, while vintage Ferragamo shoes still sell on auction sites such as Ebay.

From classic Mary Jane pumps to bright red sandals and soft leather riding boots, the Ferragamo e-Shop stocks styles for every occasion, from the formal to the casual and everything in between. The styles you'll find here tend to be classic as opposed to fashionable--the type of shoes you'll want to keep forever, knowing they'll never go out of style.

These shoes don't come cheap: a pair of leather ballet flats costs in the region of $290, while those riding boots are a heart-stopping $890. If you’d like to get your Ferragamo footwear at a slightly more affordable price, however, the sale section of the website carries shoes, handbags and accessories at reduced prices. If all else fails, there's always eBay--remember to check the seller's feedback, though, before being parted from your cash!

Where to Buy

Online shopping is available via the Salvatore Ferragmo website, which you'll find at Ferragamo.com. There are also dedicated stores around the world, and you'll find a map of their locations at the website, too.

Upscale department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom also stock Ferragamo footwear, bags and accessories, whilst the company's cosmetics line is available from Sephora