Soul To Sole

Daughter of Salvatore Ferragamo, Giovanna Gentile Ferragamo reminisces about her father’s legacy on the occasion of the brand’s reopening of its store on Canton Road, Hong Kong. 

- Charmaine Ho

Giovanna Gentile Ferragamo’s back is silhouetted against the light streaming in from the expansive windows of Hong Kong’s Upper House hotel suite and she seems to be taking delight in her bird’s-eye view of the harbour. She’s in Hong Kong for the reopening of the brand’s Canton Road flagship boutique, which recently underwent an extensive renovation that was awarded a LEED Gold certification for its energy efficiency and environmental consciousness. (What makes this even more impressive is the fact that the 7,320sqft duplex hosts multi-media displays and innovative video projections.) Housing Salvatore Ferragamo’s full range of products, the store is said to be one of the brand’s best sales performers globally, which would explain why the Ferragamo familia—including Ferruccio Ferragamo, Fulvia Visconti Ferragamo, Leonardo Ferragamo, Massimo Ferragamo and James Ferragamo—have made their way to the island for the event.

It’s an important occasion and the day is packed with activities that will end with an exclusive party at the Asia Society Centre, with a 1,000- plus guestlist that includes celebrities such as South Korean singer-actress YoonA and Hong Kong actor Julian Cheung, along with a host of social media darlings. But for now, it’s just Giovanna Ferragamo, Vice Chairman of Salvatore Ferragamo SpA, and myself, drinking espresso in a plush yet cosy suite before the day’s hec ctic momentum finds us.