Ferragamo Shoe Museum

Italy is the capital of fashion. Many world-famous designers are Italian: Gianni Versace, Dolce&Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Valentino-just to name a few. There is a famous street in Florence (Via Tornabuoni) which is home to some of the "poshest" clothing, jewelry, and shoe stores. It is here that you can find another well-known designer's store: Salvatore Ferragamo. Born in Bonito in 1898, Salvatore Ferragamo had a calling that was evident from his early childhood: making shoes. In 1914 he moved to Hollywood where he opened a store selling custom-made shoes that soon became famous. Many well-known movie stars were his regular customers. Some included Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Ingrid Bergman, The Duchess of Windsor, and Sophia Loren. When he returned to Italy in 1927, he decided to settle in Florence where he opened a workshop and store in Palazzo Spini Feroni which he purchased in 1948. In 1995, a museum was established by the Ferragamo family in order to acquaint an international audience with the artistic qualities of Ferragamo and the role his name played in the history of international fashion and not only footwear. Among the many items displayed in the museums, one can find elaborate hats, paintings, a pair of shoes designed by Andy Warhol, and even (though totally unrelated) the well where Beatrice Portinari committed suicide out of love. Ferragamo died in 1960 but his unique style still lives on. --Siena Vance

You can visit the Ferragamo Shoe Museum at Piazza Santa Trinita 5/R; Wednesday to Monday, 10 am-6pm.