You could study style for years, and still have scope to learn more.
It’s an interesting topic that doesn’t always get the love it deserves, with some dismissing it as frivolous.
We wear clothes everyday (although a duvet day now and then is compulsory), and wearing something you love can often change your mood.
In homage to the dynasty that is style, this A-Z guide will bring you a little insider information on one of our favourite subjects, this week concentrating on all things S.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo was born in 1898. He studied shoemaking in Naples and emigrated to Boston in 1914. However, it was in Hollywood that he really made his name, designing shoes for actresses such as Marilyn Monroe. He later returned to Italy where he experienced a difficult period and filed for bankruptcy in 1933. The company later recovered and expanded, today it includes bags, eyewear, silk accessories, watches, perfumes and a ready-to-wear clothing line in addition to shoes. Ferragamo wanted to make his shoes comfortable as well as beautiful and he studied the anatomy of the foot continually.
Elsa Schiaparelli
Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli was recognised as one of the greatest fashion designers of her time. Along with Coco Chanel, she had a huge influence on fashion trends in the period between the first two World Wars. Chanel and Schiaparelli were often regarded as rivals, however the designer stopped practising after World War II and her business closed in 1954.
Savile Row
Located in Mayfair, central London, Savile Row caters for bespoke menswear. It has quite an impressive customer base, Sir Winston Churchill reportedly bought suits here. Prince Charles and actor Jude Law have also been known to frequent some of the impressive tailoring establishments on the street. The Savile Row Bespoke Association was founded in 2004 to protect bespoke tailoring as practised in Savile Row. There were plans to build an Abercrombie & Fitch store on the street in 2012 but the association objected against it on the grounds that it would encourage other chain stores to set up shop in the Savile Row vicinity.
