Girlawhirl was amazed to find out that Ferragamo knew he was born to make shoes even as a child and started his apprenticeship with a cobbler at the age of four! He came to the United States with his older brother and worked in a shoe factory in Boston. But his training as a cobbler made him better suited for handmade shoes like those needed for the movies, so he made his way to Los Angeles and began creating shoes for films like The Ten Commandments and Some Like it Hot.

While he was working in Hollywood, he began making shoes for the stars. The museum has a collection of photos, order slips and even the ‘lasts' - the wood forms made in the shapes of all of his celebrity clientele's feet. From Marilyn Monroe, who appears to have been a particularly good customer, to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn and even Carmen Miranda, the museum lovingly displays them all, along with quotes from artists about how they felt about each color and Salvatore Ferragamo's own take on how color can be used in shoes.

In addition to all the shoes and memorabilia, the museum focuses on the innovation that Salvatore Ferragamo brought to the world of fashion. He pioneered the wedge heel and when leather became scarce in Italy during World War II, he used materials like fabric and raffia to create his shoes.

Girlawhirl will make sure to include a stop at the Ferragamo Museum on future trips to Florence. It's an oasis of beauty, calm and inspiration in the midst of the bustling shopping area of the city.

For more information visit salvatoreferragamo.it.

Ferragamo Museum

Piazza Santa Trinita 5r

Florence

(39) 055 3360 456