Designer: Salvatore Ferragamo

Born in 1898 in Bonito, Italy, Salvatore Ferragamo emigrated to America in 1914 and became "shoemaker to the stars" in Hollywood during the twenties. After designing shoes for Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, and even crafting Judy Garland's iconic red heels for The Wizard of Oz, he returned to Italy and founded his own house in 1927. The Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence has been home to the company's flagship store and headquarters since 1938, and it’s also the location of the Ferragamo Museum, which contains over 13,000 models, including the legendary cage and wedge heels, as well as the invisible sandal. When Salvatore died in 1960, his widow took over and employed her six children to assist in the company's development, launching men's and women's ready-to-wear collections, in addition to eyewear, perfume, and accessories.

Salvatore Ferragamo, 1951

Sandals with uppers made up of calf white polychrome, 1959-60

 Salvatore Ferragamo with Audrey Hepburn, 1954

1939 Silk and Leather Evening Sandal (metmuseum.org)

1980's Kelly Handbang (Esty.com)

Salvatore Ferragamo signature accent the "Gancini" is one way to identify the designer. Shaped like a backwards horseshoe, the logo, also called Gancino, which was developed in the late 1960's can be found on many of his handcrafted shoes and accessories.

Silk Green Pump, 1955-1962 (metmuseum.org)

1969 Ferragamo Shoe Ad

Designer Moment: Jole Veneziani

Well before designers like Armani and Versace called Milan their home, there was Jole Veneziani. A true fashion pioneer, Veneziani, who rose to fame during Italy's post-war industrial boom, taught Milanese ladies a little something about elegance. She was know for her lavish cocktail gowns and elaborate silk, beaded and velvet gowns, as well as feathered bathrobes and turbans.

1950's Spanish-influence Flamenco dress by Italian fashion designer Jole Veneziani

Jole Veneziani with models circa 1960's

Jole Veneziani was born in the southern Italian city of Taranto and moved to Milan as a child. She set up her furrier shop in 1937 and built her dressmaking and Haute Couture business in the mid-1940's. She had been acclaimed in 1951, at the historical and first fashion show of Villa Torrigiani in Florence,that marked the beginning of the Italian Haute Couture, and she became a pioneer of "Made in Italy" all over the world. She appeared on the cover pages of the most important glossy magazines, and she created dresses for the most important stars of that time, such as Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, Maria Callas, Elsa Martinelli to name a few. 

 Model Iris Bianchi in dress by Jole Veneziani, circa 1950's

Jole Veneziani 1960's designs