Ferragamo ballet flats: evolution and style of an iconic shoe

Ferragamo ballet flatsor rather a great style classic from the 1950s to today. It was in 1954, in fact, when the famous “shoemaker to the stars” created his first model of “ballet” shoes and he did so by drawing inspiration from the love for dance (and the early career) of one of the most elegant actresses of all time: Audrey Hepburn.

The designer originally from a town in the province of Avellino, Bonito, was always interested in the anatomy of the foot and his desire to try his hand at creating innovative and feminine shapes made him famous throughout the world. He began studying this dance silhouette as early as the 1920s but it was only three decades later that he arrived at the construction of the perfect ones Ferragamo ballerinas. The result? A refined and at the same time comfortable shoe, just as he loved to repeat when talking about his footwear: «Elegance and comfort are not incompatible, and those who say otherwise simply don’t know what they’re talking about».

Ballerina in beige leather and shell sole inspired by ballet shoes and patented in 1957 by Salvatore Ferragamo.

Arrigo Coppitz

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A dancer made to measure star

The ballerina (still in the collection today) that he created for the English actress of Roman holidays And Breakfast at Tiffany’s it was only the first of a long series because among its customers, lovers of this model, we can also mention many other famous names.

Audrey Hepburn’s love of dance was the inspiration for the creation of Salvatore Ferragamo’s prima ballerina in 1954.

Bettmann

The wooden form of Audrey Hepburn made by Salvatore Ferragamo.

The ballerinas created in 1954 by Salvatore Ferragamo for Audrey Hepburn.

Any examples? From Katherine Dunham, the pioneer of black danceto the dancer Alicia Markova up to Anna Pavlova, the Russian ballerina who inspired, for her grace and lightness, the cake of the same name. In 1960, moreover, Ferragamo also designed new style for other movie stars of the time such as Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe and Ingrid Bergman.

The model created for Grace Kelly in the 1950s.

www.quagli.com / roberto@quagli.

The ballerinas for Marilyn Monroe of the sixties.

Robert Quagli

The model for Ingrid Bergman, also created in the 1960s.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow: the transformation of a must

Over the decades, the Maison has continued to produce this model of footwear inspired by the elegant and refined world of ballet and, without a doubt, one of the most famous results of recent years is the Varina, born in the 2000s. Distinctive signs? The iconic bow in grosgrain and the golden plaque on which the brand name is engraved.

The new Ferragamo ballerinas, available in many new versions.

The Ferragamo ballerinaslaunched for Pre-Fall 2024 and already available in boutique And onlineare a new reinterpretation of the classic design of the past. Their typical bag construction, with pleats on the square toe, has in fact remained unchanged and displays the famous double Gancini motif on the upper or the new ornament It will go. The model with the bow New Vara, for example, it is also available in denim and raffia and with crystals as well as in a new and fun two-tone black and white or white and pink version, or in a bright gold glitter.

Ferragamo ballet flats: the model with bow and buckle.

Dancer New Vara plate, Ferragamo.

Dancer New Vara plate, Ferragamo.

Denim and raffia bow, Ferragamo.

Contrasting bow, Ferragamo.

Another style The Maison’s novelty is the one that sees the protagonists as pointed ballerinasa big trend of the season that we told you about a short while ago. Main features are the shape tapered and the detail New Vara. Difficult to choose between those in classic black passepartout and those with more particular shades, such as mascarpone, water or light camel.

Tapered lines and bow with square plaque, Ferragamo.

From the past to the future

What was capable of making this classic created in the 1950s by Salvatore Ferragamo a shoe that is still so trendy? The timeless charm that comes directly from the history of the Maison certainly plays in its favor, capable of telling a style good manners and elegant style common to the greatest actresses of the time. But, we add, the modernity of its new versions can also make these shoes a strong piece of the contemporary women’s wardrobe. After all, ballerinas are easy to wear and, above all, simple to match: they go well with everything, from more formal looks to less constructed ones.

Seeing is believing!