Ferragamo Enters a New Era of Excellence With Lin Dan, the Original Legend in Motion

Ferragamo is continuing its ongoing conversation with icons, and this time, the house is looking to the world of elite sport to write its next chapter.

This month, the Italian luxury label has unveiled a new installment of its “Legends, Reimagined” series, joining forces with Chinese badminton phenomenon Lin Dan. Known globally as “Super Dan,” the athlete represents a rare calibre of discipline, resilience, and legacy, shaped by a career that has redefined what greatness looks like in motion.

This collaboration isn’t about celebrity for the sake of spectacle. Instead, it is rooted in something far more enduring: an alignment of values. Precision. Focus. Craft. The relentless pursuit of perfection.

At its core, the partnership honours the qualities that Ferragamo and Lin Dan share, from an unwavering commitment to goals, to the obsessive attention to detail that separates the good from the legendary.

Lin Dan’s story, after all, has always been one of movement and power. His footwork defined an era, his intensity reshaped the sport, and his career became a masterclass in athletic excellence. Ferragamo translates that same energy through a cinematic campaign film that captures something deeper than performance.

Rather than relying on straightforward storytelling, the film lingers in the quiet, charged moments between athlete and object, exploring the relationship between Lin Dan and Ferragamo’s Tramezza shoe. It becomes a study of elegance under pressure, strength through restraint, and the poetry of control.

Inspired by Lin Dan’s understanding of peak performance, from the delicate grip between sole and floor to the freedom of surrendering body and mind entirely to the game, the campaign reflects the athlete’s DNA while echoing Ferragamo’s devotion to craft.

Because the Tramezza is not simply footwear. It is an icon of shoemaking artistry.

Each pair requires over 160 meticulous handcrafted steps, standing as one of the clearest symbols of Ferragamo’s “Made in Italy” heritage. Named after the tramezza, the layer of leather placed between the insole and outsole, the shoe is designed for durability, flexibility, and comfort, with Salvatore Ferragamo’s patented steel shank offering enduring support.

A lifetime piece, built with intention.

“With 'Legends, Reimagined,' we celebrate the enduring relationship between exceptional craftsmanship and those who strive for excellence,” declared Leonardo Ferragamo, Executive Chairman of the Ferragamo Group. “The Tramezza exemplifies our heritage through its precision and impeccable execution. By honoring legends like Lin Dan, we celebrate a living legacy driven by our pursuit of perfection, not only with the art of shoemaking, but also with the pride of ownership that reaffirms Tramezza as a timeless icon.”

For Lin Dan, the partnership is equally personal, extending beyond fashion and into philosophy.

“My sports career has bestowed upon me more than medals; it has forged a life philosophy of focus, discipline, and the courage to confront challenges -- a thread that runs through my entire journey,” said Lin Dan. “Partnering with Ferragamo now is an extension of that very ethos into a broader arena. In our respective fields, we both pursue excellence, united by the belief that true victory is born from steadfast daily practice and remaining faithful to our original aspiration.”

Born in 1983 in Fujian, China, Lin Dan remains one of the most extraordinary figures in modern badminton. He is the only player in history to achieve the unprecedented “Double Grand Slam,” claiming every major title across the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Asian Games, Asian Championships, and the All England Open, alongside countless BWF Super Series victories.

His record is staggering: 2 Olympic gold medals, 5 World Championship titles, 6 Thomas Cup victories, 5 Sudirman Cup wins, 2 World Cup triumphs, and a total of 66 career titles.

But beyond statistics, Lin Dan’s influence is cultural. Renowned for his fierce offense, agile footwork, and formidable mental fortitude, he pushed badminton into a new competitive era. Even today, his spirit continues to shape the sport’s future, inspiring the next generation through sheer force of legacy.

In Ferragamo’s world, legends are not static. They evolve. They move. They are reimagined.

And with Lin Dan stepping into the Tramezza, this chapter feels less like a collaboration, and more like a meeting of two lifelong pursuits: mastery, expressed in motion.