Ferragamo, Salvatore (1898–1960)

Italian shoe designer. He created elegant and sophisticated shoes and was known for his innovative designs.

He experimented with cork, lace, needlework, raffia, and snail shells, among other materials, and is credited with creating the wedge heel (1938), followed by the platform shoe, and the ‘invisible’ shoe (1947) which consisted of clear nylon uppers and a suede heel. He also designed Dorothy's ruby slippers from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. During his lifetime he created over 20,000 shoes and registered 350 patents.

Born near Naples, Ferragamo emigrated to the USA, aged 16, where he made shoes for American film companies and actors such as Gloria Swanson and Dolores del Río. When he returned to Italy in 1927 he founded a workshop in Florence. After his death, his name became a well-known label for ready-to-wear designer clothes and accessories such as scarves and handbags.