Ferragamo's Rainbow sandal, 1938, made with Judy Garland in mind: cork layers covered in suede, gold kid straps; sanctions after Italy's 1935 invasion of Ethiopia cut his steel and pushed him to cork
Ferragamo's wedge stayed popular through the Second World War.
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The post, as it ran
01SALVATORE FERRAGAMO MADE THE RAINBOW SANDAL IN 1938, WITH JUDY GARLAND IN MIND.
02ITS PLATFORM IS LAYERS OF CORK, COVERED IN COLOURED SUEDE.
03THE STRAPS ARE GOLD KID LEATHER.
04THE CORK CAME FROM A SHORTAGE. AFTER ITALY INVADED ETHIOPIA IN 1935, SANCTIONS MADE STEEL HARD FOR HIM TO GET.
05SO HE TURNED TO OTHER MATERIALS, CORK AMONG THEM.
06HE BROUGHT THE HIGH PLATFORM BACK INTO FASHION IN THE LATE 1930S.