Salvatore Ferragamo: Famous feet of Hollywood

A love affair between the world's greatest shoemaker and the most beautiful and talented actresses

By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

Salvatore Ferragamo: Famous feet of Hollywood

Born in 1898 in Bonito, a small village in southern Italy, Salvatore emigrated in 1914 to the United States, and thanks to his tenacity, ability and his capacity for taking risks, he became rich and famous in Hollywood, making shoes for the historical films of the time and 'fashionable' models for the stars of the American cinema. His creations soon became famous in every corner of the United States, and Salvatore  won the name of 'shoemaker to the stars'. 

By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

“The size of your feet, too, tells me about your character. I have divided the women who have come to me into three categories: the Cinderella, the Venus and the Aristocrat. [...] Venus is usually of great beauty, glamour, and sophistication, yet under her glittering exterior she is often essentially a home body loving the simple things of life. Because these two characteristics are mutually contradictory the Venus is often misunderstood. People accuse her of too much luxury loving and frivolity.”

Salvatore Ferragamo

Pickford MaryLIFE Photo Collection

"Make them laugh, make them cry, and hack to laughter. What do people go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise. I am a servant of the people. I have never forgotten that."

Mary Pickford

Last: Mary Pickford, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Mary Pickford, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Tavarnelle

Sandal with upper in ivory needle point lace, called “Tavarnelle”, in geometric design. “Butterfly wing” shaped vamp. Sling back. High heel in wood and insole edge both covered with ivory kid. Beige kid sock. Leather sole.
Measurements: l. 22.5 cm; heel 9 cm.

Shoe for Mary Pickford, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Mary Pickford, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Mary Pickford, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Ingrid Bergman (1943-07) by John FloreaLIFE Photo Collection

"Be yourself. The world worships the original".

Ingrid Bergman

Last: Ingrid Bergman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Ingrid Bergman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Ingrid Bergman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Ingrid Bergman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

"Glamour is what I sell, it's my stock in trade".

Marlene Dietrich

Last: Marlene Dietrich, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Scarpa per Marlene Dietrich, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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April In Paris Party, Peter Stackpole, 1952-04, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
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Antartia, Salvatore Ferragamo, 1938, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Suede closed shoe, Salvatore Ferragamo, 1935, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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LIFE Photo Collection

"All my friends know that I'd rather shop than eat".

Duchess of Windsor

Duke And Duchess Of Windsor In France, Hans Wild, 1947-07, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
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Shoe for the Duchess of Windsor, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for the Duchess of Windsor, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Audrey Hepburn (1956-03-08) by Allan GrantLIFE Photo Collection

"Elegance is the only beauty that never fades."

Audrey Hepburn

Last: Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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"Audrey Hepburn's long, slim foot is in perfect proportion to her height. She is a true artist and a true aristocrat. Audrey is always natural and completely unaffected, whether she is acting or buying shoes or handbags. She can talk intelligently and knowledgeably on philosophy, art, astronomy, and the theatre"

Salvatore Ferragamo

Shoe for Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Audrey Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Audrey Hepburn by Salvatore FerragamoMuseo Ferragamo

"The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years".

By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."

Marilyn Monroe

Last: Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Crocodile pump, Salvatore Ferragamo, 1959/1960, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Kiki model, Salvatore Ferragamo, 1959, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Marilyn Monroe, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."

Katharine Hepburn

Last: Katharine Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Katharine Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Katharine Hepburn, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Sofia Loren (1960)Istituto Luce Cinecittà

"A woman’s dress should be a like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view."

Sophia Loren

Last: Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Sofia Loren, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Anna Magnani (1949) by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection

"Please don't retouch my wrinkles. It took me so long to earn them."

Anna Magnani

Last: Anna Magnani, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Anna Magnani, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Anna Magnani, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Kidman, Nicole (1990/2000)LIFE Photo Collection

"Whatever you do in life, don't give up on your own dreams."

Nicole Kidman

Last: Nicole Kidman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Nicole Kidman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Nicole Kidman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Nicole Kidman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Nicole Kidman, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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LIFE Photo Collection

"Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves."

Drew Barrymore

Last: Drew Barrymore, Salvatore Ferragamo, From the collection of: Museo Ferragamo
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Shoe for Drew Barrymore by Salvatore FerragamoMuseo Ferragamo

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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