You’re still in time to see Marilyn’s iconic shoes in Florence

You still have time to be moved by a true piece of fashion history. The exhibition “Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960”, staged in the spectacular Ferragamo Museum in Florence, has been extended until April 6, 2026.

It’s an unmissable chance to discover the Ferragamo shoes that made Hollywood dream and captivated the world, including those worn by Marilyn Monroe. As you stroll through the halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni, you’ll step into a journey that blends creativity, elegance, and innovation: a genuine tribute to the timeless allure of Made in Italy.

The exhibition "Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960" unfolds across nine immersive thematic sections that take you from Ferragamo’s first steps in his native Campania to his triumph in Florence and the world of cinema. Each room is designed as a micro-story: you’ll encounter sketches, vintage photographs, films, and signature shoes that embody the central themes of this exhibition—fashion as art, creativity as innovation, and cinema as a source of inspiration.

This showcase is significant because it doesn’t merely present Ferragamo’s creations as works of art, but treats them as living testimonies of his entrepreneurial genius, his experiments with unusual materials like candy wrappers, and his scientific studies on the anatomy of the foot that revolutionized shoe comfort. In this sense, the exhibition acts as a bridge between past and present, a visual laboratory that helps you understand not only what Ferragamo created, but also why each of his designs continues to resonate today.

Among the most captivating pieces in the exhibition are the Ferragamo shoes worn by Marilyn Monroe, many of them featuring dizzying heels like the Filetia and Viatica models she loved to wear both on set and in her personal life. Her red crystal-studded pumps, for instance, have become a symbol of timeless boldness and glamour.

Also on display are creations designed for other screen legends: sophisticated shoes with elegant silhouettes commissioned by Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, each embodying their distinctive allure. It is moving to see how Ferragamo managed to blend cinematic aesthetics with comfort, studying the anatomy of the foot to make even the highest heel almost imperceptible in movement.

Then there are the most surprising experiments: models crafted with unusual materials, daring versions made with unconventional textures, and shoe-objects that defy the ordinary. Every piece is an invitation to look beyond form, to appreciate the value of every stitch and every detail, as a living testament to Ferragamo’s creative genius.

At the Ferragamo Museum, the visitor experience becomes even richer thanks to innovations that heighten your senses. Have you ever explored an exhibition through touch? Here, you can. A tactile map of the "Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960" exhibition is available.

In addition, an audio guide in Dolby Atmos is offered, designed also for visitors with visual impairments: an enveloping spatial sound in which voices, ambient effects, and sonic details move around you, transforming the visit into a truly immersive narrative.

And if you’d like to continue the journey beyond the museum walls, all the exhibition’s content—texts, images, videos, and the accessible audio guide—is available on the free Bloomberg Connects app. This leading platform hosts exclusive materials from over 500 cultural institutions worldwide, offering simple, global, and high-quality access to culture. That way, even if you’re far from Florence, you can still experience—or relive—the excitement of Ferragamo’s iconic shoes and the stories they tell.

The Ferragamo Museum is housed in the medieval cellars of Palazzo Spini Feroni, a 1289 building that over the centuries welcomed noble families, artists, and illustrious figures such as Liszt and Oscar Wilde, before becoming in 1938 the historic headquarters of the company founded by Ferragamo.

The museum’s archive preserves original sketches, wooden lasts, historical photographs, and vintage materials that illustrate Ferragamo’s creative journey: every detail—a stitch, a drawing, a hue—tells the story of his devotion to “Made in Italy.” As you walk through the galleries, you are struck by the clarity of the lines and the harmony of the shoes’ profiles, along with the meticulous design and sartorial culture that have made Ferragamo footwear a globally recognized symbol.

The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum welcomes you daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last entry at 7:00 p.m. The only exceptions are a few holidays, when the museum is closed: January 1, August 15, and December 25.

A full-price ticket costs €10, while reduced-price tickets are available for €5 and €6. Discounted admission is available for holders of certain cards, and there are numerous free admissions for visitors under 18, over 65, visitors with disabilities (and their companions), teachers, journalists, and Florence Card holders.

Getting to the museum is simple. If you’re already in the historic center, it’s just a short walk—about 8 minutes from the Duomo or 10 minutes from Santa Maria Novella train station. Public transportation is also convenient: several bus routes stop at Via Tornabuoni, Piazza della Repubblica, and Santa Maria Novella, while the tram is another easy option—take Line T1 to Alamanni Stazione or Line T2 to Unità, both just a few minutes’ walk from the museum.

The "Salvatore Ferragamo 1898-1960" exhibition is truly one of a kind: more than a showcase of historic footwear, it highlights the many facets of Salvatore Ferragamo’s talent, from his technical inventions to his ability to transform fashion into a universal language. His creations reveal his entrepreneurial genius and his forward-looking vision, always rooted in the traditions of Made in Italy.

The cultural and artistic value of this exhibition lies in its ability to bridge different worlds: the glamour of Hollywood, Tuscan refinement, traditional craftsmanship, and the innovation of materials. As you move through the museum’s galleries, you’ll see how Ferragamo’s shoes have become icons capable of transcending eras and styles while retaining their timeless allure.

Remember, the exhibition has been extended until April 6, 2026. If you want to experience Florence through one of its most elegant and surprising stories, don’t let this unmissable opportunity slip away.