Farragamo has some really nice things, including fabulous scarves. What I really like are the magnificent skin bags which are priced in the 10K range....alas not in this economy
Seems to me like hopping for one extreme to nearly the other, and I'm not willing to wear either. The scarves are gorgeous though, and well-priced compared to the bags.
I love Ferragamo. They still make the stodgy grandma shoes, but that's far from all they do. Their products are amazing quality, and Ihave Italian feet -- Ferragamos fit me brilliantly. Ditto BdV's comments on the scarves -- I have several because there happens to be a Ferragmo outlet about 40 miles from me. They are yummy, just as beautiful as Hermés.
Style Spy - a Ferragamo *outlet*? I'm coming to visit!!
Sal - yes, I was totally shocked the first time I went into one of their boutiques. They've really upped their game in recent years with trying to attract a more fashion-conscious customer. They also have beautiful jackets (like most everything else, out of my price range, alas.)
Well, I'm sorry, but I LOVE the Ferragamo 'Vara' (the bow flat you show). I've had a pair for at least the last 10 years in black patent leather - not the same pair you understand, I replace them with an identical pair when they wear out. In black patent leather they basically go with most colours and outfits.
But before you categorise me in the 'granny' camp. I have to say that I do have a love/hate relationship with them. Remember we talked a while ago about the two women in our wardrobes? Well these shoes definitely fit in with my conservative bourgeois woman, and I can only wear them when I'm at the slimmer end of my weight band.
I have very little time for the other examples you show. They are not shoes in my opinion and could only be considered as marvellous pieces of crafted leather that could perhaps be used as book ends on your book shelf! In my opinion they are not design but art. In my Varas I can put them on in the morning, run for trains, stand up on crowded buses, go out in the evening straight from work and then walk home, all whilst feeling 'dressed' rather than wearing sneakers. In all those other examples I couldn't even hobble downstairs!
In my defense of the bow flat I would say finally that it is not what you wear but the way that you wear it. They would certainly be my preferred shoe when visiting Paris.
greying pixie, I quite agree. Todays local paper had an amusing article on high heeled shoes. The accompanying pictures were of runway models. On their knees, flat on their backsides and in various other silly attitudes because they had "fallen off". If the girls who show them for a living can't manage to stay upright..... I'm particularly miffed today because I've just heard that one of my favourite brands (Thierry Rabotin) is no longer being imported because of the global downturn! Yet they will continue to import unwearable skyscraper shoes!
greying pixie - I should clarify: the bow flat was meant as an example of something more timeless and classic. My point (perhaps not so well made?) was only that Ferragamo is branching out quite a bit. BTW, the only pairs of F's I own are two Audrey flats (one black, one chili red patent) and a very basic black pointy-toed mid-heel pump. As I mentioned to Duchesse, they also have a lot of really cute, mid-heel shoes that don't seem to be available online. I can't wear those stratospheric heels either.
Deja - A pair of beige Audreys are on my saving-up list. Ferragamo have been making the less practical styles for some time now, but whenever I venture into the shop in Bond Street, it's always full of American ladies trying on the classic styles and buying them in all colours!
I don't like the idea that I'm wearing 'grandmother's' shoes just because I want to be practical and elegant at the same time. Catherine Deneuve wears a similar Roger Vivier style and she is hardly my idea of a grandmother!
gp - aha! I think I may have a different association with "grand-mere" than you do. Because my grand-mere was a stylish if traditional dresser, the "grandmotherly" connotation for me means very classic/traditional, not necessarily frumpy but not fashion-forward. Here in the states the most recent invocation would be Emily Gilmore (from The Gilmore Girls TV series).
Last summer, I scored a pair of Ferragamo high heeled sandals at Saks Off Fifth for the ridiculous price of $37. They're quite cute, in perforated chocolate leather with a buckle in the shape of a horse's bit. Those platform sandals above, though, are GORG! I can also imagine Style Spy rocking those pink slingbacks.
ow ow ow ow ow OWWWW!!!!! Those things make my feet hurt, just looking at them. They're obscene!
I smartened up about bone-crushers long before I hit the "granny" class... That was when, in my 30s, the chic heels & pointed toes I wore all the time produced a fine pair of excruciating Morton's neuromas, one in each foot. Women who wear these things need to know what they will do to our feet. And how long YEARS of pain really are.
as a 20something new york gal, i must say i was recently introduced to the wonderful world that is vintage ferragamo vara bow flats and i am a complete convert. they are the best designed, chic, and classic day-to-night shoes a girl could ask for. and i can still wear them years from now! i like my grandma shoes very much ,thank you :)
Farragamo has some really nice things, including fabulous scarves. What I really like are the magnificent skin bags which are priced in the 10K range....alas not in this economy
ReplyDeleteSeems to me like hopping for one extreme to nearly the other, and I'm not willing to wear either. The scarves are gorgeous though, and well-priced compared to the bags.
ReplyDeleteI love Ferragamo. They still make the stodgy grandma shoes, but that's far from all they do. Their products are amazing quality, and Ihave Italian feet -- Ferragamos fit me brilliantly. Ditto BdV's comments on the scarves -- I have several because there happens to be a Ferragmo outlet about 40 miles from me. They are yummy, just as beautiful as Hermés.
ReplyDeleteZounds! I've seen many a pair of stodgy vintage Ferragamos, but none of these updated looks.
ReplyDeleteBelle - yes, I love the colors in their scarves. I'm definitely going to hit the next sale.
ReplyDeleteDuchesse - actually they have some lovely mid-heel shoes too, but unfortunately I couldn't find any online.
Style Spy - a Ferragamo *outlet*? I'm coming to visit!!
ReplyDeleteSal - yes, I was totally shocked the first time I went into one of their boutiques. They've really upped their game in recent years with trying to attract a more fashion-conscious customer. They also have beautiful jackets (like most everything else, out of my price range, alas.)
I still think of the bow flat every time I hear the name Ferragamo, I can't help it. I think my mother has that bow flat in every colour.
ReplyDeleteThe strappy wedge has my name all over it.
ReplyDeleteAsche Mischief pointed me in your direction telling me we both blogged about Ferragamo! Love you blog!! You have a new fan.
ReplyDeletemmmmmmmm get me some Ferragamos!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm the only who likes the first pair. I'd love some!
ReplyDeleteDid I hear Style Spy mention something about a Ferragamo outlet...ROAD TRIP!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sorry, but I LOVE the Ferragamo 'Vara' (the bow flat you show). I've had a pair for at least the last 10 years in black patent leather - not the same pair you understand, I replace them with an identical pair when they wear out. In black patent leather they basically go with most colours and outfits.
ReplyDeleteBut before you categorise me in the 'granny' camp. I have to say that I do have a love/hate relationship with them. Remember we talked a while ago about the two women in our wardrobes? Well these shoes definitely fit in with my conservative bourgeois woman, and I can only wear them when I'm at the slimmer end of my weight band.
I have very little time for the other examples you show. They are not shoes in my opinion and could only be considered as marvellous pieces of crafted leather that could perhaps be used as book ends on your book shelf! In my opinion they are not design but art. In my Varas I can put them on in the morning, run for trains, stand up on crowded buses, go out in the evening straight from work and then walk home, all whilst feeling 'dressed' rather than wearing sneakers. In all those other examples I couldn't even hobble downstairs!
In my defense of the bow flat I would say finally that it is not what you wear but the way that you wear it. They would certainly be my preferred shoe when visiting Paris.
I rest my case ...
greying pixie, I quite agree. Todays local paper had an amusing article on high heeled shoes. The accompanying pictures were of runway models. On their knees, flat on their backsides and in various other silly attitudes because they had "fallen off". If the girls who show them for a living can't manage to stay upright.....
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly miffed today because I've just heard that one of my favourite brands (Thierry Rabotin) is no longer being imported because of the global downturn!
Yet they will continue to import unwearable skyscraper shoes!
greying pixie - I should clarify: the bow flat was meant as an example of something more timeless and classic. My point (perhaps not so well made?) was only that Ferragamo is branching out quite a bit. BTW, the only pairs of F's I own are two Audrey flats (one black, one chili red patent) and a very basic black pointy-toed mid-heel pump. As I mentioned to Duchesse, they also have a lot of really cute, mid-heel shoes that don't seem to be available online. I can't wear those stratospheric heels either.
ReplyDeleteDeja - A pair of beige Audreys are on my saving-up list. Ferragamo have been making the less practical styles for some time now, but whenever I venture into the shop in Bond Street, it's always full of American ladies trying on the classic styles and buying them in all colours!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the idea that I'm wearing 'grandmother's' shoes just because I want to be practical and elegant at the same time. Catherine Deneuve wears a similar Roger Vivier style and she is hardly my idea of a grandmother!
gp - aha! I think I may have a different association with "grand-mere" than you do. Because my grand-mere was a stylish if traditional dresser, the "grandmotherly" connotation for me means very classic/traditional, not necessarily frumpy but not fashion-forward. Here in the states the most recent invocation would be Emily Gilmore (from The Gilmore Girls TV series).
ReplyDeleteSandra - thanks! I've been a reader of your blog for a while and enjoy it very much.
ReplyDeleteThat turquoise shoe is divine and the shape is something I haven't seen anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteLast summer, I scored a pair of Ferragamo high heeled sandals at Saks Off Fifth for the ridiculous price of $37. They're quite cute, in perforated chocolate leather with a buckle in the shape of a horse's bit. Those platform sandals above, though, are GORG! I can also imagine Style Spy rocking those pink slingbacks.
ReplyDeleteow ow ow ow ow OWWWW!!!!! Those things make my feet hurt, just looking at them. They're obscene!
ReplyDeleteI smartened up about bone-crushers long before I hit the "granny" class... That was when, in my 30s, the chic heels & pointed toes I wore all the time produced a fine pair of excruciating Morton's neuromas, one in each foot. Women who wear these things need to know what they will do to our feet. And how long YEARS of pain really are.
as a 20something new york gal, i must say i was recently introduced to the wonderful world that is vintage ferragamo vara bow flats and i am a complete convert. they are the best designed, chic, and classic day-to-night shoes a girl could ask for. and i can still wear them years from now! i like my grandma shoes very much ,thank you :)
ReplyDelete