Ferragamo (formerly Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A.) is an Italian luxury fashion house headquartered in Florence, Italy, specializing in footwear, leather goods, and high-end accessories. Founded in 1927 by the visionary designer Salvatore Ferragamo, the brand earned global prestige as the "Shoemaker to the Stars" for its work with Hollywood icons like Joan Crawford and Audrey Hepburn. Today, it remains one of the few major luxury fashion houses to maintain independent family ownership, with the Ferragamo family holding a roughly 65% stake. Core Business and Product Offerings The company is primarily a manufacturing and retail giant in the luxury sector, with footwear and leather goods comprising over 86% of its revenue. Footwear: The brand is iconic for innovations like the cork wedge (patented in 1937) and the Vara patent ballet pump. Techniques include "Tramezza" stitched welting for men's shoes. Leather Goods: Includes handbags, suitcases, belts, and wallets, often featuring the signature "Gancini" (little hook) clasp. Ready-to-Wear and Silk: High-quality apparel for men and women, alongside famous silk products like foulards, ties, and scarves. Licensed Products: Through strategic partnerships, the brand offers fragrances (with Inter Parfums), eyewear (Marchon), and Swiss-made watches (Timex Group). Operations and Global Presence Ferragamo operates in over 90 countries with a workforce of approximately 3,800 employees. Distribution Channels: The brand utilizes a network of Directly Operated Stores (DOS) and Third-Party Operated Stores (TPOS). As of September 2022, it managed 447 mono-brand stores. Key Markets: Asia is a critical region (representing roughly 28% of sales), followed by the US (30%) and Europe (24%). Corporate Headquarters: Based in the historic Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence, which also houses the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum. Modern Strategy and Leadership Under the leadership of CEO Marco Gobbetti (appointed January 2022) and Creative Director Maximilian Davis, the company has undergone a significant modernization effort. Rebranding: In 2022, the brand officially shortened its name to "FERRAGAMO" and introduced a new, modernized logo. Digital Transformation: The company has adopted a digital-first strategy to engage younger demographics, specifically Gen-Z, through social media storytelling and influencer collaborations. Sustainability: Ferragamo is a member of The Fashion Pact, committing to reduce its environmental impact and improve human rights practices within its supply chain.