Salvatore Ferragamo’s Online Exhibition Is a Must-See for Fashion-History Fans

Salvatore Ferragamo has launched a new exhibition in Florence that is the ultimate culmination of history and fashion.

Journey with us to learn more about the legendary shoemaker, the family business, the exhibition and the collection that celebrates the history of silk and some of the brand's most iconic archival prints.

About Salvatore Ferragamo

Ferragamo was once the shoemaker for movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn. He started his shoemaking career at age 11 in Naples before following his brothers, who had immigrated to the US. He completed a brief stint at a shoemaking factory in Boston before making his way over to California, where he would go on to become Hollywood's go-to shoemaker, opening up shop in Mission Canyon before buying the Hollywood Boot Shop on Hollywood Boulevard.

After thirteen successful years in the US, Ferragamo returned to Italy, settling in Florence in 1927. The company suffered hardships during the 30s, even filing for bankruptcy in 1933. But, by 1947, the company made a definitive recovery with new stores in Rome, Genoa and fashion capital Milan, with further expansion in the European and US markets.

The brand went from strength to strength, launching a New York store, participating in the first Italian fashion show and cementing its name as "shoemaker to the stars." Salvatore "dreamed of transforming his internationally renowned brand into a fashion label that dressed a woman from head to toe." This dream would come true, but only after he died in 1960 when his wife and children took over the business.

His daughters slowly picked up different facets of the business starting with Fiamma, who began designing women's shoes; Giovanna, who created the company's first resort collection; and Fulvia, who launched the production of women's and men's silk accessories in the 1970s. She later became vice president and creative director of silk accessories until she died in 2018.

The Silk Exhibition

Silk scarves, which became an integral part of the Ferragamo business, are now the subject of a new exhibition at the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence. "This exhibition aims to reveal the long and complex process that leads to the creation of a printed silk scarf, the perfect union of extraordinary creative intuition and high-level industrial craftsmanship."

The exhibition, curated by Stefania Ricci, explores the inspirational references from oriental art to twentieth-century painting to ancient books on botany and natural sciences. The exhibition displays various Ferragamo silk patterns with the ideas and inspiration behind them as well as installations from Chinese artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu.

The Silk Print Collection

"The Silk Print collection pays homage to Salvatore Ferragamo's tradition of silk production." The unique collection of scarves, shoes, bags and accessories combines two of Ferragamo's archival prints: The prowling jaguar and vibrant rainbow.

Jaguar Print Silk Scarf

This Italian-made, 100% silk scarf features a crouching jaguar centrepiece with a subtle rainbow outline, surrounded by beautiful florals. Over twenty colour shades are used to create this bold yet sophisticated scarf.

Jaguar Print Silk Bandeau

This versatile 100% silk bandeau can be slung around your neck, tied up in your hair or used to decorate your favourite Ferragamo bag. It features two graphic options on each side that combine a jaguar pattern with bold florals in contemporary black, beige and ivory.

The exhibition is set to run from 25 March 2021 till 18 April 2022 at the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, located in the medieval basement of the historic Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence. A virtual exhibition is also available in both Italian and English for global audiences unable to visit the museum.

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