Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960: The Shoemaker to the Stars in Florence

The exhibition 'Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960' at the Museo Ferragamo in Florence revisits the life and work of the Italian shoemaker who became a legend in Hollywood. Curated by Stefania Ricci, the show opened on October 27, 2023, and has been extended to April 27, 2025. It evokes the first traveling retrospective held at Palazzo Strozzi in 1985, which led to the creation of the Ferragamo Archive and later the museum. The current exhibition emphasizes both aesthetic and documentary value, highlighting Ferragamo's anatomical knowledge, such as the steel arch support (cambrione) patented in 1931, and his role in defining Made in Italy. It showcases his innovative designs for stars like Judy Garland (Rainbow wedges), Gloria Swanson (corkscrew heels with fake pearls), Anna Magnani (Tavarnelle lace shoes), and the Kimo sandal inspired by Japanese Tabi, presented at Giovanni Battista Giorgini's 1951 fashion show in Florence. The exhibition functions as a memory reel, connecting past and present through objects, documents, and ideas, while the museum remains a dynamic space for dialogue between the company and the public.