For more than two decades The Italian Film Festival has celebrated two of habbot’s favourite things - Italian language and culture. Since it first launched in Sydney and Melbourne in 2000, the festival has grown across Australia to become the biggest public celebration of Italian cinema outside Italy! This year, for the very first time, habbot has officially partnered with The ST. ALi Italian Film Festival to cement our shared love of all things la dolce vita.
With the festival running until 16 October, now is the time for you to experience the best contemporary and classic Italian cinema on the big screen - whilst enjoying a delightful glass of Prosecco or a bold Italian red, of course!
For obvious reasons we’re thrilled to see that one of this year’s festival highlights is a spotlight on Italian shoemaker to the stars, Salvatore Ferragamo. With Italian shoemaking our life’s work, we’re itching to enjoy this portrait of a man whose vision, passion and craftsmanship made him an enduring cultural and fashion influence.
A man after our own hearts, Ferragamo combined Italian craftsmanship with a distinctive eye for innovation - superbly crafted shoes with delightfully comfortable designs. Born into a poor Italian family in 1898, he became a shoemaker barely a teenager. What began with the production of cowboy boots and sandals for Hollywood films, soon blossomed into iconic creations such as the Rainbow sandal for Judy Garland in 1938. His styles came to define mid-century elegance for performers including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Rita Hayworth.
In Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams, filmmaker Luca Guadagnino tracks Ferragamo’s life from humble beginnings, combining 100-year-old archival footage, an extraordinary stop-motion “shoe ballet” and incisive commentary.
The legacy of Ferragamo’s timeless designs prevails to this day. To celebrate our partnership with The ST. ALi Italian Film Festival and the legend that is Salvatore Ferragamo, we’ve rounded up some essential habbot footwear inspired by his most iconic styles.
Pumps
Marilyn Monroe famously wore Salvatore Ferragamo pumps in Some Like It Hot, and he even patented a steel-enforced stiletto heel just for her! There’s no better way to channel your inner silver-screen siren than with some head-turning heels. This season we’re loving ‘atkin’ in the newest colourway, confetti.
Flats
It’s hard to name a more iconic shoe-moment in film history than Audrey Hepburn in her Salvatore Ferragamo ballet flats! The epitome of effortless chic, and an ongoing style inspiration. With ballet flats back on-trend this season (did they ever go out?), here’s our beloved ‘rupert’ in black.
rupert - black
$445.00
habbot ‘rupert’ women’s high cut ballet flats in premium Italian calf leather are timeless and elegant. Perfect for dressing up or down, this flattering black slip-on wraps neatly across the top of the foot, offering full toe coverage, with an… read more
Loafers
Salvatore Ferragamo once said “Elegance and comfort are not incompatible and those who say otherwise simply don’t know what they are talking about.” There’s no doubt in our minds he was talking about a loafer - here’s our ever elegant (and always comfortable) ‘piano’, in patent red to steal the show.
piano - siren
$475.00
habbot ‘piano’ women’s flat slip-on loafers feature a flattering high cut vamp, with classic penny loafer strap detailing. Soft and supple in textured siren red patent leather and finished with a low block heel, piano is equally at home paired with… read more