I’ve now transitioned from heels to ballet flats because of the latter’s comfort, practicality, and classic feminine style. I know I need to invest in more pairs, and maybe soon I can splurge on a designer one, like Salvatore Ferragamo’s Varina. I found deeper appreciation for the shoe and the brand after watching one of their Italian Master Craftsmen create the Varina in a live demonstration last night, Sept. 10, at the luxury brand’s boutique in Shangri-La Plaza.

The Varina is a modern, youthful reinterpretation of the Ferragamo classic Vara, a smash hit designed in 1979 by Salvatore Ferragamo’s eldest daughter, Fiamma. Since then, production on the Vara has never stopped, and more than a million pairs have been sold, making it the most successful shoe in its category. Updating the Vara’s soft lines into a ballerina style, the Varina has kept the gold plaque bearing the Ferragamo logo and fabric bow, along with a gros-grain ribbon stitched along the trim. It is available in both patent leather and satin, in a wide array of colors, including a two-tone version with contrasting ribbon.

The final output at the live shoemaking demonstration last night

Salvatore Ferragamo is known for creating shoes that are loved and appreciated by the refined customer for their design, detail, and fine craftsmanship. Ferragamo’s shoes ‘always fit’— the basic fundamental and guiding principle of the company since the 1920s, which has been handed down from generations of talented and trained in-house craftsmen.

Shoe lovers will also have the opportunity to discover first-hand Salvatore Ferragamo’s shoemaking process for the Varina, as the brand flew in a master craftsman from Florence, Italy for an exclusive showcase, “The Art of Shoemaking,” to demonstrate the craftsmanship and extraordinary quality of materials given to each hand-made shoe.

It was so fascinating to watch the master craftsman, who has been with the brand for 50 years, and has been making shoes since he was 11! I couldn’t get the image of a boy making shoes while I watched him work, and he still had that boyish charm, not to mention that infectious passion for his craft, about him.

You can also watch the master craftsman’s public showcase starting today, Sept. 11, up to Sept. 14 near Salvatore Ferragamo stores in Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Makati, and Newport Mall respectively, taking you back in time to experience the founder’s obsession with quality and comfort, and revealing the secrets behind a pair of Ferragamo shoe. It’ll be a great experience not just for you, but even for your kids who might be fascinated with this sort of thing, which calls to mind fairy tales like The Elves and the Shoemaker. (Perhaps it can keep them preoccupied while you shop!) View the full schedule below:

“The Art of Shoemaking” Showcase

• September 11, 2015, Friday, 11AM – 8PM, Greenbelt 4
• September 12, 2015, Saturday, 11AM-8PM, Rustan’s Makati
• September 13, 2015, Sunday, 11AM – 8PM, Newport Mall

In the Philippines, Salvatore Ferragamo is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., a member of SSI Group, Inc., and is located at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Greenbelt 4, Power Plant Mall, Newport Mall and Alabang Town Center. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph for more information.