There are a lot of luxury brands internationally, how different is your brand positioned and what has been the success ratio as opposed to other brands?
We are very strict with our brand personality. We have also tried to make the best quality product for the less possible price. So this equilibrium works very well for us.

What prompted you to bring your brand to India?
I would say a very good response of Indian customers abroad. In Europe and US we have a strong Indian customer base. They keep on coming. They want new collections. They are very fond of us. Plus, we do believe in this country.

How do you plan to woo the Indian buyer?
I hope we do it the same way we do it with the rest of the world. We have a very lovely story about Ferragamo in India. In 1938, my father designed beautiful platform shoes with precious stones for the Maharani of Cooch Behar (the mother of the Maharani of Jaipur). In 1985, when we opened our Museum in Florence, the Maharani of Jaipur came to the opening!

How many stores are you planning in India in the next five years?
In the next five years we plan to open 10 more stores. One more in a year’s time in Delhi, then a second one in Mumbai, Bangalore and probably a few in the other cities.

How would you describe India as a destination for selling luxury brands?
This is a growing country and has a growing market. I see a lot of opportunities in India, but not too much too soon. Gradually, there will be huge returns for our investments.

Five years from now where do you see Ferragamo in India?
Everywhere. [Laughs].

PERSONALLY…

Earliest memories of her father…
Going hunting with his big dog. He also taught me how to swim and I’m very fond of the sea. So whenever I’m on the beach, I think about that and it’s as if he was there just yesterday. The memories are so strong…

Bossy nature…
I’m not a tough taskmaster. I’m too sweet. I know, being too sweet should be bad but my experience of being sweet has only been good.

To be a woman on top…
I never felt like that. I didn’t want to feel like that. I don’t want to feel like that. So I don’t know how it feels. I don’t like that attitude.

Dealing with employees…
I try to be real. I’m like that for everybody. When I see people who move to the top who don’t deserve it then I get deeply hurt. Yes, a lot of backstabbing goes on. You can’t trap them straight away. You have to try and let them get trapped by their own mischief.

Normal day…
Non-stop. From 7am to midnight.

Managing business and family…
At my age it’s not difficult anymore because my children are all grown up. It was quiet tough when they were small. I have four children. They already suffered because I was away a lot working hard. I always kind of rushed and dedicated every minute of my freedom for them. Now, I’m trying to recover whatever time I took away from them.

Defining joy of marriage…
Great respect for each other, trustfulness and understanding and enjoying each other.

Success mantra…
Be optimistic.

Husband speak…
He is a lawyer. He wears Ferragamo shoes and ties.

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