What Leading Men Wear

Massimiliano Giornetti, creative director for the House of Ferragamo, discusses classic elegance and lasting qualities in men’s fashion.

- Meg O'Rourke

Salvatore Ferragamo was a creative genius whose success was the product of a deep, quasi-mystical understanding of his purpose. Born poor in rural Italy into a family of 14 children, he was a fully trained cobbler by the age of 13. He launched himself professionally stateside in California, designing footwear for the studios and its actors, and his long roster of Hollywood A-list clients over the next decades included Douglas Fairbanks, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, and Marilyn Monroe. His anatomical studies and passionate desire to heal pained feet led him to create shoes that married design and wearability. Ferragamo claimed, “I do not have to search for styles. When I need new ones I select from those that present themselves to my mind as I select an apple from the laden dish upon my table.” His creations have been exhibited in museums and influenced countless designers, yet Ferragamo founded his fortune on the comfort of his clients. After his death, in 1960, his widow and children carried on with the company, introducing accessories and ready-to-wear. One hundred years after Salvatore opened his first shop, the Italian luxury brand now has hundreds of stores around the globe and employs several thousand people. One of those is Massimiliano Giornetti, who joined Ferragamo in 2000 and in 2010 became creative director for the entire label, the first person ever to hold the position at the company. Ferragamo is now one of the oldest luxury fashion brands in the business. The company has expanded its reach to become a major global presence, retailing around the world. To Ferragamo, luxury is synonymous with quality craftsmanship— manufacturing remains exclusively in Italy. Below, Giornetti talks about his creative understanding of Ferragamo’s history, the meaning of style, and the inspirations behind his collections.