James Ferragamo
James Ferragamo | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1971 Florence, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, fashion executive |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Director of Men's and Women's Leather Products at Ferragamo |
James Ferragamo (born November 7, 1971) is an Italian entrepreneur currently serving as the Director of Men's and Women's Leather Products at Ferragamo.
Early life and education
Hailing from Florence, James is the son of Ferruccio Ferragamo, who chairs Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A., and the grandson of Salvatore Ferragamo, the founder of the renowned fashion house.
He grew up on the family’s Chianti estate, Il Borro, which his father purchased in 1993. From a young age, James demonstrated a passion for the family business, famously creating footwear for his grandmother during childhood.
He completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees at New York University Stern School of Business, gaining practical experience by working as a sales assistant during holidays at the Ferragamo boutique located in Los Angeles.
Career
James began his professional journey with the family enterprise in 1998 following previous roles at Saks Fifth Avenue and Goldman Sachs in London. At that time, employment opportunities within Ferragamo were limited to three family members simultaneously, making positions highly sought after.
By 2001, he was appointed merchandising manager responsible for overseeing 55 stores across Japan, nine locations in Italy, and ten outlets in France. In 2013, while directing women's leather goods, he managed collections including the iconic Vara line.
Prior to 2015, James played a significant role in launching flagship products such as the Audrey shoe, the Made to Order lines Vara and Varina, as well as bags like Sofia and Fiamma. By this period, he had advanced to Director of Women’s and Men’s Shoes and Leather Goods Division. During 2016 and 2017, he led both footwear and leather goods departments.
As of October 2018, he continued as director overseeing men’s and women’s shoes along with leather goods. In March 2021, recognized by Fashion Weekly as Giacomo “James” Ferragamo, he joined the company’s board of directors, succeeding Paul Andrew.
By 2021, ten members of the Ferragamo family held board positions alongside James, who also fulfilled responsibilities as brand, product, and communication director. He returned to the board after stepping down the previous year to enable Michele Norsa’s appointment as executive deputy chairman while maintaining his directorial roles.
Personal life
James and his family frequently reside at their Chianti estate, a restored medieval village featuring a Relais & Châteaux hotel along with private villas.
In 2017, he committed three hours each morning to triathlon training as part of his personal routine.
See also
- Salvatore Ferragamo: Founder of Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. and James' grandfather