First off, you see all that talk about “artisans working leathers with gentle hands” and “technological precision”? Yeah, yeah, sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Like, “ooh la la, bespoke shoemaking.” But honestly, that’s kinda the point. They’re not mass-produced, slapped-together things you’d find at, like, Target (no offense, Target, I love you). These are *made*. Someone actually cares about each stitch, each curve. And that takes time, and time equals money. Duh.
And the materials? Forget about it. “Luxury materials” is code for “stuff I can’t afford but really, really want.” We’re talking supple leathers that probably cost more than my car, and honestly, probably *feel* better than my car seats. You’re paying for the best of the best, even if you can’t tell the difference between full-grain and, uh, fake-grain (is that a thing? IDK).
Then there’s the Gancini sole thing. I always thought that little buckle-y design was kinda cool, but also kinda… grandma-ish? Don’t @ me. But apparently, it’s a *thing*. A recognizable, “this is a Ferragamo” thing. It’s like the little swoosh on Nikes, but, you know, for rich people. It’s branding, pure and simple, and you’re paying for that, too.
And hey, speaking of rich people, let’s be real: some of it is just prestige. It’s the “I can afford this, so I’m better than you” factor. (Which is, like, totally bogus, but it’s true). People buy Ferragamos to show off, let’s not pretend otherwise. They want to broadcast that they have the means to drop serious cash on footwear. I mean, you COULD buy ten pairs of perfectly decent sneakers for the price of one pair of Ferragamos, but where’s the *status* in that?
(Side note: I saw some Ferragamo sneakers on FARFETCH with “free returns via courier collection.” That’s pretty swanky. I mean, if I’m gonna drop a grand on shoes, I expect them to be hand-delivered by a tiny, perfectly-dressed butler. Just sayin’.)
Okay, so, are they *worth* it? That’s the million-dollar question (well, more like the thousand-dollar question). Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never owned a pair (yet!). But I *do* think there’s something to be said for quality and craftsmanship. If you’re gonna wear something every day, maybe it’s worth investing in something that’s actually well-made and will last. And maybe, just maybe, feeling like you’re wearing a piece of art on your feet is worth a little extra.
