Salvatore Ferragamo celebrates a new chapter in its history with the debut of the Pre-Fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection - the first created by Paul Andrew, the category’s newly appointed design director.
In his first collection for the company, Andrew puts at center stage founder Salvatore Ferragamo’s lifelong obsession with craftsmanship, innovation and fit. Andrew considers how to make these values significant to a consumer and unique to a luxury brand today. Architect, engineer, and aesthete - the roles Salvatore Ferragamo assumed in building his shoe empire are as vital to the craft today as they were in 1927 at the brand’s founding.
High-tech meets high-craft in a series of sharply punctuated groups, where Andrew harnesses state-of-the-art technology and the savoir-faire of Italy’s finest artisans. Timeless Ferragamo icons and design gestures have been reimagined and recast, from the signature black and gold and a "column heel" from the late 30s to a reconceived ‘f’ wedge and the new flat: a sneaker in neoprene or technical stretch rib knit. Fit standards have been intensively studied and adjusted for today’s global client mix, motivated by the belief that the success of design is measured not only in its visual evidence but also in its experience.
Summing up his first effort, Paul Andrew states: “My concept for the collection was simply to highlight the fundamentals that made Salvatore such a profound and groundbreaking presence in his field and to express those values through designs that are relevant to a new generation of strong, discerning women.”
“Salvatore Ferragamo had a history of daring and of revolution in shoes - says James Ferragamo, w&m shoes & leather goods director - legitimately setting trends with inventions such as the platform, the wedge and the metal arch. Paul's revisiting of our archives and values with a focus on high tech and high craft have ensured that our women’s shoes can remain ahead of their time combining cutting edge design with comfort and grace.”
The Pre-Fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection will be available to purchase both in stores and online at www.ferragamo.com from May 2017.
In the Philippines, Salvatore Ferragamo is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 4, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Solaire Resort & Casino. Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.