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Sandal thumbnail 2
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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
  • Height: 19cm
  • Length: 23cm
  • Width: 8cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Fortnum & Mason Ltd Piccadilly W / Ferragamo's creations Florence Italy' (Label on insole, at the heel.)
Gallery label
(2015-2016)
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
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

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Record createdNovember 8, 2005
Record URL
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