Salvatore Ferragamo created the Rainbow sandals in 1938 for iconic Hollywood star Judy Garland. They were a tribute to her signature song, “Over the Rainbow,” which was performed in the 1939 American musical fantasy film The Wizard of Oz.
The design remains one of Ferragamo’s most recognizable and enduring creations, often described as a symbol of his legendary career as shoemaker to the stars.
Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo designed these Rainbow sandals for Judy Garland in 1938
Reinforcing Ferragamo’s deep ties to Hollywood and cinema, the Rainbow Sandal was prominently featured in the 2020 documentary Salvatore – Shoemaker of Dreams, which premiered at the 77th Venice Film Festival.
Today, the shoe lives on through Ferragamo’s Creations—a special branch of the brand that faithfully reproduces Salvatore Ferragamo’s original designs in limited-edition, numbered replicas directly from the company archives.
One of the Italian shoe designer’s most famous styles, it helped make platform shoes popular in the 1930s.
Salvatore Ferragamo designed the iconic platform sandal for American singer and actress Judy Garland (Credit: WENN)
👠 Celebrity Shoe Moments in Salvatore Ferragamo Sandals:
- 📸 Stella Maxwell wearing Salvatore Ferragamo sandals at the 74th Venice Film Festival with a pink Twinset dress and black-and-gold Ferragamo heels.
- 🎥 Olga Kurylenko in Ferragamo gladiator sandals during her “Oblivion” press tour interview at The Grove, pairing her dress with fossil gray suede Ferragamo shoes.
- 🎤 Janelle Monáe’s Ferragamo look at the Spirit Awards featuring a geometric Ferragamo outfit and Christian Louboutin Tudor Bal heels.
- 🎬 Freida Pinto in Ferragamo ‘Elisea’ sandals at the Elton John Oscars Viewing Party, wearing mesh-trimmed Salvatore Ferragamo heels for the glamorous event.
- 🎧 Mia Moretti wearing vintage Ferragamo Rainbow platform sandals at the ICB x Def Jam Mix-Tape & Campaign Celebration in 2014.
Salvatore Ferragamo’s goatskin leather and suede Rainbow 1938 platform sandals
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has a pair of the original 1930s rainbow-hued suede wedge sandals.
The cushiony, multicolored suede layers forming the platform and block heel