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GANCINI - OUR ICON EXPLAINED

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Salvatore Ferragamo has created a powerful new monogram based on one of its most enduring symbols - the Gancini.

Women’s Collections Creative Director Paul Andrew has designed the Gancini monogram, which will be prominently incorporated across the house’s offer in seasons ahead.

To mark the release of this important addition to the visual brand language of Salvatore Ferragamo, we are pleased to present the authoritative guide to the Gancini.

What is the Gancini?
The Gancini represents a great deal. It is a piece of functioning hardware. It is the visual emblem of Salvatore Ferragamo. And it is a symbol that encapsulates the qualities of our brand; quality, heritage, strength, togetherness. To understand Salvatore Ferragamo, you must understand the Gancini. Both literally and symbolically, the Gancini is a vital point of connection.

Where does the Gancini come from?
The Gancini first evolved into our brand icon during the 1970’s. However house legend has it that its origins date back to the 1950’s, during the final years of our brand’s founder, Salvatore Ferragamo. According to that legend, Ferragamo took inspiration for the first versions of the Gancini from the ornate ironwork on the gates of his headquarters at Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence, as well as the hand-tooled articulated iron hooks set into the side of the building for the tethering of horses. These ancient features of the building remain today - and do indeed resemble the Gancini that has become globally associated with Salvatore Ferragamo.

What does ‘Gancini’ actually mean?
In Italian the word ‘gancio’ means ‘hook’. When you add ‘ino’ to the end of the word, it suggests ‘little’. And ‘i’ is a plural ending. Therefore ‘Gancini’ means ‘little hooks’. For Salvatore Ferragamo, however, it means much more than that.

Why is the Gancini so important?
To Salvatore Ferragamo, the Gancini priceless. It is an instantly recognisable symbol of the brand that is understood around the world. Furthermore, everything associated with the Gancini reflects and reinforces the identity of Salvatore Ferragamo.

The Gancini is historic
The Gancini’s connection both with the founder of the house and the historic Florentine Palazzo from where he first established the Salvatore Ferragamo workshop - and which today continues to be the headquarters of the company - is an intimate reflection of our brand’s history.

The Gancini is powerful
As well as being a symbol, the Gancini is a functioning piece of hardware. It is a strong tool, built to function for a lifetime (at the very least).

The Gancini is beautiful
There is an innate elegance in the design of the Gancini that combines great sensuality in its curving shape with great simplicity in its total functionality.

The Gancini is sophisticated
As well as being an extremely refined object in itself, the Gancini represents refinement. To those who wear it is a display of both discernment and knowledge. Both as a logo and piece of hardware it is unique both in shape and function. It also embodies the values of Salvatore Ferragamo itself.

Perhaps most importantly of all, the Gancini is a point of connection - both literally as hardware on shoes, belts and bags and symbolically on our new monogram and otherwise incorporated into Salvatore Ferragamo products - the Gancini works to hold together.

The more you consider the Gancini the more you understand that its shape both reflects and fulfils its meaning. A key feature of the Gancini is the duality it reflects as as object of connection. Salvatore Ferragamo is combining the southern Italian passion and artistry of its founder’s roots with the Northern Italian refinement of the city, Florence, in which he settled - and the Gancini is a reflection of that equilibrium.

The Gancini both encapsulates our values and transmits them. However you wear the Gancini - and there are many ways to wear it - when you do, you are expressing your membership of the Salvatore Ferragamo family. And Salvatore Ferragamo is proud to welcome you as a member of that family.

How are we celebrating this new expression of Gancini?
To mark Paul Andrew’s fresh reinterpretation of the symbol of Salvatore Ferragamo’s heritage, craftsmanship and quality we are partnering with a selected group of fellow artisanal international companies whose own heritage and skill we admire. Each will personalise their distinct and unique products with the Gancini pattern - a fresh point of connection for our powerful symbol of togetherness.