No luxury brand is more inseparably linked to shoes than Ferragamo. Salvatore Ferragamo invented the platform sole, the wedge heel, and the invisible sandal — three of the most consequential innovations in 20th century footwear history. The Vara pump and the Gancini loafer are among the most recognised luxury shoe designs ever produced. This guide covers every significant Ferragamo shoe style for women and men. Ferragamo shoes are not currently in The Brands Villa’s product range — the BV Ferragamo collection focuses on bags ($1,390-$10,000). For the Ferragamo bags at The Brands Villa, the range covers the East-West Tote, Fiamma Crossbody, and Double Gancio Shoulder Bag.
Salvatore Ferragamo — the Greatest Shoemaker in History
Salvatore Ferragamo (1898-1960) was born in Bonito, near Naples, the 11th of 14 children. He taught himself shoemaking as a child and emigrated to the United States at 16, eventually establishing a workshop in Hollywood in 1923 where he made shoes for the emerging film industry. He dressed Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, and the Duchess of Windsor — earning the title ‘shoemaker to the stars’. He returned to Florence in 1927 and founded the Ferragamo house there, which remains headquartered in Florence today. His technical innovations: the wedge heel (1937, using cork to replace metal that was restricted for war use); the platform sole (1938, also war-material-inspired); and the invisible sandal (1947, nylon fishing line as the strap — the sandal was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, the Oscar of fashion). He died in 1960, aged 62.
The Vara Pump — the Most Iconic Ferragamo Women’s Shoe
The Vara pump was introduced after Salvatore’s death, developed by the Ferragamo family in the 1970s. It features a pointed kitten heel (typically 22-55mm), a round or pointed toe, and the defining element: a satin grosgrain Vara bow at the vamp. The bow — in a contrasting or matching fabric to the shoe upper — is immediately recognisable and has no equivalent in any other luxury brand’s shoe vocabulary. The Vara is available in leather, suede, satin, velvet, and patent leather in a wide seasonal colour range. It is priced at approximately $600-$900 depending on material. The Vara is the shoe worn most consistently by buyers who want immediate Ferragamo recognition at the most wearable heel height.
The Varina — the Ferragamo Ballet Flat
The Varina is Ferragamo’s signature ballet flat — a rounded-toe leather flat with the small grosgrain bow (a reduced version of the Vara bow) at the vamp. One of the most widely purchased luxury ballet flats globally, the Varina sits at approximately $400-$600 and provides the Ferragamo Vara bow design language in the most casual and most wearable shoe format. The Varina is the natural everyday complement to the Vara pump — the same brand identity and the same bow detail, appropriate for contexts where a heel is impractical.
The Gancini Loafer — Women’s and Men’s
The Gancini hardware is Ferragamo’s signature metal clasp — an interlocking double-hook toggle that forms a distinctive horseshoe shape. On the Gancini loafer, this hardware replaces the conventional loafer vamp strap with Ferragamo’s own design language. The Gancini loafer is available in women’s and men’s sizing, in smooth calfskin, suede, and patent leather, in the full seasonal colour range. It is priced at approximately $550-$850 for most women’s formats and $650-$950 for men’s. The men’s Gancini loafer is the most naturally formal Ferragamo men’s shoe — appropriate for business-casual and smart-casual dressing where the Gancini hardware reads as a structured accent rather than a casual decoration.
Men’s Ferragamo Shoes — Oxfords, Loafers, Derbies
Ferragamo’s men’s shoe range covers six primary categories. Oxford: a classic lace-up in smooth calfskin or suede — the most formally appropriate Ferragamo men’s shoe for business or black-tie dressing. Derby/Blucher: a slightly more casual lace-up (open vamp construction) for smart-casual contexts. Gancini Loafer: the house’s signature loafer with the Gancini toggle hardware. Monk Strap: single or double buckle construction in calfskin. Chelsea Boot: elastic-sided boot in suede or calfskin. Sneaker: the Ferragamo Trainer (Iridescente, Bounce) in leather and rubber. All priced at $500-$1,200 for most men’s Ferragamo styles.
The Platform, the Wedge, and the Invisible Sandal
Ferragamo’s three great shoe inventions remain visible across contemporary luxury footwear: the platform sole (raised forefoot, distributing the elevated heel height across the whole foot) appears in virtually every luxury shoe collection globally; the wedge heel (continuous sole from heel to toe, with no break between the sole and heel) is an annual commercial staple; and the invisible sandal (nylon fishing-line strap) has been reproduced in fashion-forward shoe design consistently. Ferragamo continues to produce all three formats — the cork platform sandal, the cork wedge espadrille, and the transparent sandal in nylon or PVC — as both heritage pieces and updated seasonal designs.
Pairing Ferragamo Shoes with the BV Bag Range
For buyers who own Ferragamo shoes and are building a complementary bag collection: the Ferragamo East-West Tote Bag at $2,300 at The Brands Villa is the most naturally coordinated BV bag — it is in the same house, shares the clean Florentine leather aesthetic, and uses the same quality calfskin. The
Frequently Asked Questions About Ferragamo Shoes
What is the Ferragamo Vara pump?
A pointed-toe kitten heel pump with the Vara bow in satin grosgrain at the vamp — Ferragamo’s most iconic women’s shoe. Introduced 1970s. $600-$900. In continuous production.
What is the Gancini loafer?
A classic loafer with the Gancini toggle hardware (interlocking double-hook clasp) on the vamp — Ferragamo’s signature hardware in shoe form. Women’s $550-$850; men’s $650-$950.
Did Salvatore Ferragamo invent the platform heel?
Yes — the platform sole (1938) and wedge heel (1937), both developed in response to WWII material shortages. Also the invisible sandal (1947) with nylon fishing-line strap.
What Ferragamo men’s shoes are most popular?
Gancini loafer (most distinctively Ferragamo), Oxford (most formal), Chelsea boot (most casual). $500-$1,200.
What Ferragamo bags are at The Brands Villa?
East-West Tote S ($1,750), L ($2,300), M ($10,000). Fiamma Crossbody S ($2,000-$2,500). Double Gancio Shoulder Bag ($1,390). Ferragamo Handbag S ($2,300). All worldwide duty-paid.