By Dara Clariza Evangelista
The Vara bow has always been one of Ferragamo’s most charming signatures. What began as an accidental detail from Fiamma Ferragamo in the late 70s has become an enduring symbol of individuality, elegance, and ease. It was created for women who move with intention, and it continues to evolve with every new generation who wears it.
This season, Ferragamo revisits the Vara bow through four women who each bring a different energy, background, and creative spirit. Their portraits feel intimate and real, showing how the bow naturally fits into modern life, whether you’re on a film set, in an art studio, on the runway, or simply walking through the city.
The portraits are of Bianca Balti, an Italian model known for her classic beauty and unshakeable resilience, Fiamma Paternò Castello di San Giuliano, part of the fourth Ferragamo generation, bridges heritage and youth, carrying her family’s legacy while shaping her own artistic path. Paloma Elsesser, celebrated for her work in inclusivity and self-expression, brings a grounded honesty to the bow, turning it into a personal statement rather than an accessory. Hyeri Lee, one of South Korea’s standout young actresses and performers, brings bright, youthful energy to the campaign, showing how the bow moves easily with today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Together, they highlight how the Vara bow adapts to different identities, cultures, and rhythms. The portraits also include a cameo from Giovanna Gentile Ferragamo, adding another layer of connection to the family who first imagined the design.
The story behind the bow remains one of fashion’s happiest accidents. The original prototype used a scrap of grosgrain ribbon found in the atelier, a detail that stayed simply because it felt right. That simple ribbon, paired with a small metal plaque, soon became a design code that spread from shoes to bags, jewelry, belts, and leather goods.
Decades later, the Vara bow still represents Ferragamo’s dedication to craftsmanship and emotion. It holds the Maison’s balance of tradition and progress, elegance and simplicity, artistry and everyday life. And like the women who wear it, the bow continues to evolve without ever losing what makes it special.
For Ferragamo locations and online shopping options in the Philippines, visit ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph.
———————————————————–
Jasmine Curtis-Smith is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now, as she shares her thoughts on good storytelling in films, as she’s set to star in upcoming movies Open Night, a 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sapphic film entry; and Manila’s Finest, an upcoming 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) crime drama movie.
Read the Stylish Magazine September-October 2025 cover story here.
Watch out for a new #StylishPodcast episode featuring our cover girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith, dropping soon on Facebook and YouTube.
Stylish Magazine is “your source of self-love, style & inspiration” first introduced in June 2020. Our television series format, Stylish TV, once ranked one of the Top 50 Most Watched Multicultural Shows in the USA, can be streamed on iWantTFC and be watched on TFC (The Filipino Channel) in more than 50 countries. Watch it online here.
Style Visionary Network is a lifestyle-business online platform where #WeCreateVisionaries. Also introduced in June 2020, Style Visionary Network is also the digital home channel of media brands Stylish Magazine and Stylish TV.