Fashion Designer: Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo started out as an Italian shoe designer. Due to his popularity and success amongst celebrities he was able to expand into a brand of luxury goods. Believe it or not, Salvatore designed his first pair of shoes at age nine. They were for his sister to wear on her confirmation. He later studied shoemaking and opened a store inside his parents home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvatore_Ferragamo . In 1927 Salvatore even designed shoes for Marilyn Monroe and other Hollywood elite of that era.

Salvatore died in 1960 and his wife and six children took over the company. Today the Ferragamo name isn't just about shoes. Ferragamo includes eyewear, watches, handbags, perfume and ready-to-wear clothing. There is even The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence that opened in 1995. The museum includes a collection of over ten thousand shoes created over forty years. This year celebrates the 80th anniversary of Ferragamo. In 2007 Ferragamo reported a net profit of $47.1 million.

The 2008 Collection appears to be inspired from the 1970's. Bell bottom pants, metallic mini skirts and pant suits were at the forefront. They used Ostrich for the handbags and some donned in fox fur. The Icon Collection of handbags is where you will find the glamourous clutches, wallet and shoulder bags. The Fall Collection is full of chic bags that are fun and unique. In the Resort Collection you will find bright colors and smaller totes ready for Spring. The shoes are divided into the same collections, Iconic, Fall and Resort. The core of the Ferragamo brand is of course the shoes. Ferragamo shoes are meant to not only be sexy but to fit the wearer with comfort and ease.