Sandal
1938 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Salvatore Ferragamo probably created this model for the cinema or theatre. The sole is composed of cork layers covered with various coloured suedes. The inspiration for the original design and extremely high platform heel undoubtedly came from American musicals. In these theatrical productions, actresses swathed in shimmering fabrics and precious furs were often raised on golden pedestals, thus accentuating their star quality and distancing them from the general public.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Suede covered cork with kid and leather, and metal buckle |
| Brief description | Woman's platform sandal with sole composed of coloured suedes covering cork, designed by Salvatore Ferragamo, Italy, 1938 |
| Physical description | Sandal with the upper composed of gold kid straps, bordered with button-hole stitch. Metal buckle. Platform sole and heel in cork layers covered with various coloured suedes. Gold kid insole edge cover. Label. Beige kid lining and sock with gold kid heel sock. Leather sole. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Fortnum & Mason Ltd Piccadilly W / Ferragamo's creations Florence Italy' (Label on insole, at the heel.) |
| Gallery label | Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain
Somewhere over the Rainbow
Ferragamo brought the high platform heel back into fashion in the late 1930s. Inspiration possibly came from musicals and the golden pedestals on which actresses were raised. But he apparently had Judy Garland in mind when he designed this sandal with its Technicolor, cinematic quality.
Rainbow sandal
1938
Italy
Salvatore Ferragamo
Suede, gilded leather, leather and cork
Given by Wanda Ferragamo
V&A: T.84-1988(2015-2016) |
| Credit line | Given by Wanda Ferragamo |
| Object history | Registered File number 1988/276. |
| Summary | Salvatore Ferragamo probably created this model for the cinema or theatre. The sole is composed of cork layers covered with various coloured suedes. The inspiration for the original design and extremely high platform heel undoubtedly came from American musicals. In these theatrical productions, actresses swathed in shimmering fabrics and precious furs were often raised on golden pedestals, thus accentuating their star quality and distancing them from the general public. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.84-1988 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 8, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
