Figure 1.--Salvatore Ferragamo was a Hollywood legend, surely the most famous shoemaker of all time -- the 'shoemaker to the stars'. Ferragamo’s shoes have been described as not just footwear, but works of art and they graced the feet of Hollywood legends from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn. Salvatore was born into a modest family in Bonito (1898). He was eleventh child among fourteen children. He took an interest in footwear at an early age. He emigrated to America during World War I and spent 13 years there making his name in Hollywood. He returned to Italy, settling in Florence (1927). He weathered some very difficult years. Here we see his family in Fiesole (1959).

Salvatore Ferragamo was a Hollywood legend, surely the most famous shoemaker of all time -- the 'shoemaker to the stars'. Ferragamo’s shoes have been described as not just footwear, but works of art and they graced the feet of Hollywood legends from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn. Salvatore was born into a modest family in Bonito (1898). He was eleventh child among fourteen children. Their parents were Antonio and Mariantonia Ferragamo--both had the same family name, but not closely related, not uncommon in small Italian towns. He had an early passion for shoe making. At 9-years of age he created a his first pair of shoes--a set of high heels for himself and matching shoes for his sisters to wear at their First Communions. He decided at an early age that his occupation would be shoe making and he studied the craft. in Naples. At age 14 years he opened a basic shop in his home. He then set on a path that many Italians had followed. He followed one of his brothers and emigrated to Boston (1915). This was during World War I. Emigration from Europe fell off sharply after World War I broke out. Somehow he made it to America. His brother worked in a cowboy boot family. Salvatore joined his brother in the boot family. But Salvatore convinced his brother ton take off for California, first Santa Barbara and then Hollywood. He opened a shoe repair shop and made-to-measure footwear. His timing was impeccable.. After World War I, America sharply reduced immigration. And Hollywood was just beginning to establish itself. He also took an important step-- he was sure that shoes could be both beautiful and comfortable to wear. Toward that end, he studied anatomy at the University of Southern California. He lived in America for 13 years a fashioning his craft and becoming a Hollywood legend. Most European immigrants stayed in America. Italian immigrants were a little different than most European immigrants. Quite a number came to America to make a small nest egg and then return to Italy and open a shop of some kind. After 13 years in America, Ferragamo returned to Italy, settling in Florence (1927). Hollywood stars continued to patronize him. Not only Hollywood stars bought his shoes, but also notable women like Maharani of Cooch Behar and Eva Perón. He expanded operations to include bags, eye wear, silk accessories, watches, perfumes and a ready-to-wear clothing line. Here we see his family in Fiesole (1959). He died a year later (1960), but his wife and children followed him into the family business.

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Created: 6:31 AM 4/10/2024
Last updated: 6:31 AM 4/10/2024