Ferragamo's Cellophane Shoes

Ferragamo is well known for his innoavtive use of unusual materials or skins.

His use of cellophane came about, like many of his other ideas, due to shortages during the 'autarchy' of the late 30s and 40s.

Shoe 1941

The Ferragamo website tells us that he came up with the idea of using cellophane when he bought his mother a box of chocolates and unwrapped one. Early designs used weaving and crochet in the same way the raffia shoes were made, indeed the same poeple made them.

Sandals 1950-55

Later the cellophane was used in conjunction with a linen or cotton string and merely glued down. The designs continued to be successful until the 60s when more new materials became fashionable.

Sandals 1955-58

Shoe Icons: Ferragamo Vara Courts

The Vara was designed in 1978 by Ferragamo's daughter Fiamma. It is a plain low heeled court with a grosgrain and metal bow on the toe. Since then it hs become the world's best selling shoe, there are hundreds of variations and the iconic bow has been applied to other styles. There is a Vara for everyone. (Or Varina if you like them really really flat).

From the original plain colours with self coloured bow the range has expanded to patent, suede and satin, leather bows, plastic bows and sequins. The toe and heel shapes have followed fashion and the bow has been applied to high heels and sandals.
When it comes to exploiting your signature style, Ferragamo have nailed it.

Ferragamo at the Movies 1940

The Thief of Bagdad (1940) is an early British technicolor Arabian Nights fantasy with costumes by Oliver Messel, Marcel Vertes and John Armstrong. It was influential in it's storytelling, first use of blue screens and chroma key process.
The Princess (June Duprez) and Halima (Mary Morris) wear Salvatore Ferragamo shoes which fit perfectly into the grand spectacle.

June Duprez and handmaidens, Glynis Johns was one but I couldn't spot her.

Black and gold wedge.

John Justin and June Duprez in a promo shot

Mary Morris as a handmaiden.

the famous rainbow wedge from 1938.

First posted on Vintage Chic 27 June 2014