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Museo Salvatore Ferragamo Introduces: Italy in Hollywood

Salvatore Ferragamo’s newest exhibition project pays homage to the time he spent in California, from 1915 to 1927. Indeed, the designer once fled his hometown Bonito in Irpinia, Italy and joined his elder brothers in Santa Barbara, California.     

With the help of his brother, he opened a custom-shoe repair shop and hence catered to the world of movies and its stars, working with some of the most famous directors such as D.W. Griffith, James Cruze, Raoul Walsh, and Cecil B. DeMille. Climbing up the social ladder, Salvatore was soon enough working with California’s high society and his fame consequently brought him to Hollywood, where he opened a shop on Hollywood Boulevard. His clientele included stars such as Mary Pickford, Pola Negri, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, and Rudolph Valentino.

And so, the exhibition explores the Italian migration to California, all the while focusing its attention on the world of art, crafts, and the entertainment arts. The project hence sheds the light on names and personalities, all the while highlighting Italy’s contribution in music as well.

The Photo Gallery, right this way…



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