Explore every episode of the podcast Salvatore Ferragamo. Shoemaker of Dreams

This podcast tells the story of the incredible life of a man born at the end of the nineteenth century in a
small town in Italy who became a legend in the world of fashion: Salvatore Ferragamo.
Guided by the words of Salvatore’s autobiography, we’ll follow his professional and human adventure as he seeks out originality and beauty.

1907, Bonito, a small town in the south of Italy. Salvatore is just nine years old, but one night he manages to make two little white pairs of shoes for his sisters’ communion. It’s the start of a long fateful tale.

Salvatore emigrates to America and in California, in the early twenties, starts making shoes for the movie studios of Santa Barbara. In a short time, he becomes “the shoemaker to the stars”.

Salvatore opens his store in Hollywood and he’s immediately overwhelmed with success - yet it’s not enough. He decides to go back to Italy and to have his shoes made by the best artisans in Florence. But not everything goes as hoped.

Salvatore recovers from the crisis and starts a new and efficient artisan shoemaking company. He buys a palazzo and a villa and becomes a celebrity for the beauty and comfort of his footwear.

During the Fascist period, due to international sanctions and the economics of autarchy, Salvatore’s creativity reaches its highest levels: he creates new models with see-through nylon paper, and he invents the cork wedge.

At the start of the Second World War, all production halts. Salvatore returns to Bonito and there he meets Wanda, the love of his life. They get married and face the tragic events of the war together.

After the war, production starts up again in full force, and so does exportation. Salvatore is celebrated both in Italy and abroad, while the international jet set and its stars go crazy over his creations.

Salvatore starts the process of industrialization with the dream of creating a fashion company which can dress its clients “from toe to head”, but in 1960 he’ll pass away due to an illness. His wife Wanda and his six children will make his final wish a reality.