Filling the Shoes

JAMES FERRAGAMO, 45, has spent his life immersed in the legend of his grandfather’s company. Here, he speaks about his own taste in shoes, his rules for dressing, and why Americans can be more “experimental.”

What was it like growing up in the Ferragamo family?

I was raised right next door to my grandmother, so as a child, I was able to spend a lot of time with her. She’s our honorary president and still comes into the office at 95. She brought Ferragamo to where it is today. When her husband passed away, she called upon her six kids to build on Salvatore’s dream. Understanding the sacrifices she made was really an example of how to be part of the family legacy.

When did they put you to work?

When we were between 9 and 13 years old, my twin brother and I spent our summer holidays putting shoes together. We tried to do as little damage as possible, but we weren’t great. We were too young, maybe. There are more than 120 different stages in putting a shoe together. It’s a complex process, you know?

How have things changed since then?