With such a legacy, it only made sense to turn the maison of Ferragamo into a full-blown women’s brand, shoes, ready-to-wear, handbags and all. When Ferragamo passed, things stayed in the family. His widow, Wanda Ferragamo, oversaw creative direction and his daughter Fiamma Ferragamo (who is credited with the beloved Vara design) had the foresight to debut bags and small leather goods in 1965.
Now under the creative direction of Maximilian Davis, who was appointed in 2022, the brand has been infused with a heady modern and youthful perspective. Though shoes (some styles continue to be fully made by hand followed Salvatore’s methodologies) will always be the label’s calling card, the handbags are just as gorgeous. Below a history of Ferragamo Bags.
Hug
The Hug bag could have very well been named after the desire one might have to embrace the gorgeous accessory but it actually refers to the bags two leather “arms” that wrap about the bag with an adjustable signature Gancini clasp closures that can provide an extra little squeeze—just like a hug! In the short while that she’s been around—it debuted in fall 2023—the Hug has already become a mainstay in the Ferragamo line up. Plus, it comes in a few sizes and shapes.
Fiamma
Introduced in 2014 and named after Fiamma Ferragamo, Salvatore’s daughter, the Fiamma bag has experienced a bit of an evolution. Its first iteration looked a bit more like a bowler bag but under Davis’s creative direction, the Fiamma got a bit of edge. Plus, it’s now both a crossbody or a shoulder bag with an asymmetrical flap that resembles a flickering flame—as the name suggests, “fiamma” in Italian.
Studio
Launched in 2018 to honor Ferragamo’s first workshop, the Studio bag is known for its structured, elegant lines and practical functionality. Available in various sizes and finishes, it incorporates a distinct Gancio clasp and a studded base, giving it a polished look. More recently, a slouchier version of the bag has been offered—with splayed out sides that add a bit of youthful carefree look.
Wanda
The Wanda Bag is one of Davis’s first designs for Ferragamo. It was introduced in his debut collection for the brand in 2023 as a wink to Wanda Ferragamo, Salvatore Ferragamo’s wife and a pivotal figure in the brand’s history. With a traditional top-handle style, the Wanda gave existing Ferragamo customers the structure and polish they were used to while the edgy and slick angular silhouettes beckoned the next generation of Ferragamo shoppers. Plus, we can’t overlook the unexpected placement of the Gancini hardware on either side of the bag: The double hook was inspired by the iron gates of Ferragamo’s Florence-based headquarters and has become a symbol of the fashion house. Its introduction marked a fresh chapter for Ferragamo under Davis’s creative direction and the bag has stuck around for a couple of seasons.