Calista Cuaca, Mae Tan and Friends Dance in Ferragamo's New Viva Shoes

The heritage brand's new house icon shoe, the Viva, incorporates the iconic Vara bow

Viva, Ferragamo! The storied fashion house celebrates the iconic ladylike Vara shoes, which was designed in 1978 by Fiamma Ferragamo, daughter of the house founder, with a fresh, contemporary version called the Viva.

The name of this new house icon shoe, Viva, reveals the heart, life and joy behind the shoe that was designed by creative director Paul Andrew. Viva is the Italian word for being “alive”; a strong passion for living life to the fullest.

Celebrating life and friendship are our Tatler friends Calista Cuaca, Mae Tan, Dyon Foo and Narelle Shen. All four friends attend a lindy hop dance lesson, in⁠—of course⁠—their Viva flats: giggling, dancing from their hearts, having the best time and resonating with the spirit of “viva”.

Viva versus Vara

How is the Viva different from its iconic predecessor, Vara? Paul Andrew, who was trained as a shoe-maker, has created a more streamlined shoe in the Viva.

Above The Viva

Above The Vara

On the gently tapered neckline of Viva sits the new buckled bow, three times bigger than the original, and in the same Nappa lamb leather as the shoe, instead of the grosgrain ribbon.

The metal hardware of the buckle has been replaced with a tonal-painted one. The heel now comes in a more feminine, sleeker silhouette. Shaped like a teardrop, it takes inspiration from the elliptical-shaped sculptures of American artist Richard Serra.

The Viva comes in two heel heights, in a ballerina flat and a pump, and is now available in Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques. See more in the gallery below: