When Paul Andrew joined Ferragamo as director of shoe design a little over a year ago, he looked back at Ferragamo’s long history and craftsmanship for inspiration. Here, with this poppy red "F" wedge style with scarf ankle tie, you can see the direct influence of Ferragamo’s relationship with architectural heels.
“No lover of shoes and shoe history could resist the fatal attraction of the revolutionary moderns and details, like the ‘F’ or ‘Flower’ heels from the Ferragamo Archive,” Andrew said. "Revolutionary invention transformed the very concept of shoes. Tradition that ironically appears to have come from the future.”
Other standouts from the collection include the flower heel sandals in lavender (another throwback to the archives) and a floral printed sling back that seems both ladylike and fresh at the same time. Wear any of these architectural wonders with your favorite little black dress and you’re sure to turn heads.
As Paul Andrew has continued success with his creative shoe designs, he is now taking over the brand's creative direction. Although Andrew does not have experience designing women’s ready to wear, as creative director he will be taking over the responsibilities of Fulvio Rigoni, who was previously the womenswear design director.
When it comes to accessories designers taking the lead at ready-to-wear brands, Andrew is in good company as of late. Think: Alessandro Michele at Gucci, Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior, and Pierpaolo Picciolo at Valentino, All of whom have breathed new life into classics design houses. Not to mention Ferragamo himself, who got his start in footwear.
In fact, Andrew works from the namesakes office in Florence. As Lee Marshal reported in our May Issue, “upon arriving in Florence, Andrew spent days just opening boxes in the Ferragamo Museum… Andrew was overwhelmed—and impressed with the founders innovation...His own forward-thinking designs nod to Salvatore.”
Paul Andrew’s first complete collection for the house will be presented during February fashion week for the Fall/Winter 2018 season, and we are all looking forward to seeing what inspiration he will pull from the house’s rich history.
