Inspired by the house’s famed 1938 ‘Rainbow Shoe’ and the colourful vigour of 1980s accessories, a new sustainably minded collection of sunglasses from Salvatore Ferragamo is ready for brighter days ahead
In 1938, Salvatore Ferragamo created the ‘Rainbow Shoe’ for Judy Garland, a sky-high gold sandal with a wedge heel in a vivid spectrum of rainbow hues – such was its impact, the Italian shoemaker is credited with introducing the platform shoe to the masses. Over eight decades on, a new capsule collection from Ferragamo’s namesake house pays homage to the founder’s innate understanding of form and colour, and the ‘Rainbow Shoe’ itself, with a mood-elevating series of sunglasses in time for summer’s imminent arrival.
Available in a range of vivid shades – from candy pink and cerulean blue, to green and yellow – the genderless sunglasses draw on the colourful vigour of 1980s accessories, with chunky transparent frames embossed with the house’s ‘Gancini’ symbol (another nod back to the house’s history, the motif was originally inspired by the gate of Palazzo Spini Feroni in central Florence, the home city of the brand since 1927). Inside, each arm is printed with the Ferragamo logo and, despite their generous size, a historic commitment to craftsmanship ensures each pair is truly light to the touch.The collection – titled simply ‘Multicolour Eyewear Capsule’ – also marks the latest foray into sustainability for Salvatore Ferragamo, with frames made from low-impact, plant-based compound material and lenses made from salvaged wood and the leftovers of farming activity. The box in which each pair from the collection arrives is made from 50 per cent recycled materials.
‘Innovative, creative use of raw materials has always been a signature trait of the Florentine fashion house,’ says the brand in a statement. ‘We have always been extremely mindful of the environmental impact of the products we make, as we passionately forge ahead with a commitment to ever more sustainable development.’
These sunglasses are a much-needed injection of colour – ready for brighter days ahead.
