Maria Sole Ferragamo has followed in her family's footsteps: the great-granddaughter of the Italian luxury shoe manufacturer Salvatore Ferragamo is behind the imaginative sustainable jewelry brand So-Le Studio
Italian jewelry designer Maria Sole Ferragamo grew up in her Ferragamo family's factories in Florence; today he creates wearable art using upcycled leather Since So-Le Studio was founded in 2022, Central Saint Martins' signature sustainably sourced designs have been stocked by Farfetch, Moda Operandi and London's Browns.
Maria Sole Ferragamo understands leather. The great-granddaughter, who founded his eponymous shoe brand in 1927, grew up and spent her summers in her family's factories in Florence. A jewelry designer herself, it's a fitting cycle that today she creates sculptural pieces of wearable art using upcycled pieces of leather under her label So-Le Studio, inspired by those prized factories that became the starting point for a lifelong obsession.
"I loved the people who were there, just watching them all working so intensely with their hands, with a lot of concentration. Then I loved what I saw, like new products, blooming every moment. All the materials that were available - the colors, the techniques, the creativity combined with deep technical knowledge was something that fascinated me from the very beginning,” she says on a Zoom call, wearing a pair of her curved three-dimensional hoop earrings in an enchanting shade of green.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get answers with our new curated content platform with explainers, FAQs, analysis and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. "To be in an environment where I could do what I loved and watch people do the same thing, working with their hands all day. I would actually forget about the passing of time. I would forget about my lunch break and everything else," she says. .
Ferragamo founded her brand in 2017 after studying architecture and then a master's in jewelery design at Central Saint Martins in London. She opened her first boutique in Milan at the end of 2022 and plans to open more in the near future. Her jewelry is stocked by, for example, Browns in London and online retailers Farfetch and Moda Operandi.
Sustainability is very stimulating - I find it very stimulating, for example, when I start with a limited resource or a material that is not perfect and find creative solutions What I love about the first place is that it was something that made me so happy and I was in control of by whether to do it or not. I could decide to start working on a piece of jewelry and I would be happy. I think it had to do with working with my hands. It was just a process of creation, starting from something that wasn't there yet and that, thanks to the work of my hands and my mind, will take shape and become something new.
For me, it's something that still makes me emotional. This process of creation is truly an act of love, and I think it's something that hasn't changed since I was very young. The very role of jewelry - even when I was very young - I would see how something very small and simple can change your appearance, but also your mood.
I follow a very precise creative process. I am very disciplined [but] of course open to possibilities. I always start from a mood board, which is made up of images I collect that inspire me. I find inspiration in many worlds, currently [it's] repetitive patterns and geometry. I am literally obsessed with them and they can be any scale and any setting. In architecture, but also in nature, they can be in a hardware store or on construction sites. I collect my sources of inspiration.
Then I get a brief and start iterating from that mood, taking one element of inspiration into the brief and the many possibilities it can have. I go from the sketches to making the model, and then it's a constant narrative process between making the model and drawing. Basically, I work really hard on prototyping and iterating until I get to a final prototype where I know I can stop. I feel that harmony has been achieved. Then I go to my craftsmen and together we implement the technique and the way to reproduce it in a series.
I have to say it felt completely natural to me, it was really the only way to do it because it was my reaction to the reality I encountered. I came across this abandoned material and responded to it. Over time, of course, I deepened my principles of sustainable development and they became very connected to upcycling. I actually started upcycling other materials.
But really the truth is thinking and I think it's never a point where you arrive, but it's constantly asking yourself questions and trying to be a little better every day. And also for me, sustainability is very stimulating - I find it much more stimulating, for example, when I start from a limited resource or a material that is not perfect and This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a leading news media reporting on China and Asia. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
In the world of luxury fashion, the Ferragamo name is synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship and timeless style. Salvatore Ferragamo's legacy has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry for decades. However, there is a new Ferragamo in town – Maria Sole Ferragamo. This entrepreneurial spirit and great-granddaughter of an iconic Italian luxury shoemaker is forging her way away from her family's well-trodden footsteps. Instead of shoes, she's making waves in the world of rugged, sustainable jewelry with her brand So-Le Studio.
The Ferragamo name carries a remarkable heritage that spans nearly a century. Salvatore Ferragamo, the patriarch of the family, was a visionary designer known for his innovative shoe designs and pioneering techniques. Today, his empire is synonymous with high-end Italian fashion. However, Maria Sole Ferragamo decided to embark on her own unique journey.
Maria Sole Ferragamo's venture into sustainable jewelry with the So-Le studio is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her desire to positively impact the fashion industry. While her family's brand has its roots in footwear, Maria's passion for sustainability took her in a different direction.
So-Le Studio is not just another jewelry brand; is a reflection of Maria's commitment to environmental sustainability and her determination to push the boundaries of fashion. The brand name So-Le is a clever play on words that beautifully captures its essence - "So" for sustainability and "Le" for luxury. Jewelry created by So-Le Studio is edgy, contemporary and uniquely sustainable. Maria's designs incorporate recycled materials, ethically sourced gemstones and innovative manufacturing techniques. Result? Stunning jewelry that not only looks good, but also wears well.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything So-Le Studio does. Maria Sole Ferragamo is very aware of the environmental impact of the fashion industry and is determined to be part of the solution. By using recycled materials and adopting sustainable practices, So-Le Studio sets a new standard for luxury fashion. The brand's commitment to sustainability goes beyond the products themselves. So-Le Studio educates consumers about the importance of making informed choices and supports initiatives that promote environmental protection. Maria Sole Ferragamo's vision is to inspire a generation of green fashionistas.
Maria Sole Ferragamo's journey from the famous Ferragamo family to the realm of sustainable luxury jewelry with the So-Le studio is nothing short of inspiring. It is proof that even in the shadow of an iconic legacy you can make your own way. With its commitment to sustainability and passion for creating imaginative, eco-friendly jewelry, Maria Sole Ferragamo is making its mark on the world of fashion—one gorgeous piece after another. So watch So-Le Studio continue to shine brightly in sustainable fashion and change the way we perceive luxury forever.
Embracing sustainability and daring to be different, Maria Sole Ferragamo has truly followed in her family's footsteps and created her own unique legacy in the world of fashion. So-Le Studio is not just a jewelry brand; it is a symbol of hope for a more sustainable, stylish and conscious future in fashion.
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