How to Be a Luxury Footwear Designer

Every discerning shoe collector has invariably possessed—or at least, coveted—a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, a testament to the brand’s iconic status throughout the decades. Since its inception in 1927, the Italian luxury fashion house has remained at the forefront of the industry while continuing to strengthen its core footwear business. In keeping with its commitment to innovative and creative design, Salvatore Ferragamo has recently announced the appointment of Paul Andrew as the first-ever design director of women’s footwear.
A leading talent of his generation, Andrew cultivated his craft alongside fashion giants before launching his eponymous footwear line in 2013 to critical and commercial success, establishing him as a rising force in the industry. A
In 2014, he distinguished himself further by winning the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the first footwear designer to receive the top
In an official statement, Ferruccio Ferragamo, president of Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A., said, “We have a proud history of nurturing design talent and we believe that Paul’s credo very much matches the spirit at the heart of our house. Shaping many of today’s stylistic and aesthetic codes in footwear, the brand’s pioneering spirit has resulted in iconic inventions that represent landmarks in women's fashion, including the cork wedge and the stiletto heel. Together with Paul, we look forward to continuing our celebration of women and outstanding design, and writing a new chapter in our history.”
Upon his appointment, Andrew said, “I look forward to bringing a new perspective to the company in line with the demands of today’s marketplace, marrying the power of its heritage and industrial force with high design and the latest innovations in material and make.”
Salvatore Ferragamo’s pre-fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection is Paul Andrew’s first as design director. Taking to heart Ferragamo’s lifelong obsession with craftsmanship, innovation, and fit, Andrew delivers a collection where high-tech meets high-craft, harnessing state-of-the-art technology and the
For his introductory collection, Andrew shares, “My concept for the collection was simply to highlight the fundamentals that made Salvatore such a profound and groundbreaking presence in his field and to express those values through designs that are relevant to a new generation of strong, discerning women.”
The pre-fall 2017-2018 women’s footwear collection will be available to purchase both in stores and online at ferragamo.com from May 2017. Greenbelt 4, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Solaire Resort & Casino; follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.