Salvatore Ferragamo passed away in 1960, but before his death he did manage to achieve his greatest goal: to design and produce the most beautiful shoes in the world.
It’s not by chance if he is known as the “shoemaker of the stars” in the world of fashion: Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Nicole Kidman and Madonna are just some of the celebrities who wore the Italian designer’s creations.
The trademarks of Ferragamo’s original creations were artistic contaminations, bold colors and experiments with different materials, such as the famous multicolored cork and suede wedge sandals designed for Judy Garland, or Marilyn Monroe’s beloved pumps. The rest is history.
The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum of Florence, Italy, has dedicated the “Sustainable Thinking” exhibition, open from April 12, 2019 to March 8, 2020, to the creative and pioneering ideas of the designer.
Curated by Stefania Ricci, Director of the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and of the Ferragamo Foundation, in collaboration with Giusy Bettoni, Arabella S. Natalini, Sara Sozzani Maino and Marina Spadafora, the exhibition is based around a very popular topic: sustainability.
Ferragamo was especially creative when it came to researching and experimenting with different materials.
His special attention to recycling and his respect for nature were behind the creation of some of his most interesting pieces: for instance, the Invisible Sandal with a rainbow wedge, made of fishing line; or his many creations made of hemp, cellophane and fish skin. He rediscovered and reinterpreted natural fibers, creating the foundation of what we now call Circular Economy.
The theme of sustainability nowadays has been embraced by many young designers and artists, some of whom were invited to present their works during the exhibition, which also hosts a number of different projects and workshops.
there is no limit to beauty, no saturation point in design, no end to the materials
Salvatore Ferragamo
