Serial | Terumi Hagiwara's Fashion Days Vol. 47

Series | Terumi Hagiwara's Fashion Days Vol. 47

From Florence! Creations Seen at the "Inspiration and Vision" Exhibition

Since its founding in 1927, Salvatore Ferragamo has created numerous epoch-making items in the history of footwear. Fashion Director Terumi Hagiwara embarked on a journey through its archives.

Text by HAGIWARA Terumi

Ferragamo's Precious Archives: A Legacy of Innovation

Spring 2012. This season, light 1920s dress styles that make you want to swing seem set to fill the streets.

Salvatore Ferragamo was designing shoes from the 1920s. I visited the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, located within the Spini Feroni Palace in Florence. Approximately 10,000 items, including Ferragamo's archive shoes and documents, are preserved there. A selection of these, curated according to themes, is on display as special exhibitions.

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The theme this time is "Inspiration and Vision." Objects and artworks that served as the source of inspiration for shoe designs are displayed alongside the shoes. For example, shoes with lacing inspired by samurai armor.

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In addition to the permanent collection, items created between the 1920s and the late 1950s, as well as those gathered from private collections worldwide, are exhibited together.

While Ferragamo has a rich history, looking at the archives reveals that many of its shoes were quite avant-garde. Stylish shoes are essential for dancing in 1920s dresses.

"Inspiration and Vision"
Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
Exhibition Dates | Until March 12, 2012
Admission Fee | 5 Euros
Closed Tuesdays

Terumi Hagiwara | HAGIWARA Terumi
Fashion Director
Each season, she covers the New York, Milan, Paris Prêt-à-Porter, and Paris Haute Couture collections. She contributes numerous articles and columns to fashion magazines and newspapers. She also directs the women's collection for the select shop "Designworks." Official Blog: http://hagiwaraterumi-bemode.com/