January 2011 - New decade, here we go!

LEGACY OF LUXURY

FERRAGAMO BOUTIQUE - NISANTASI - ISTANBULHappy New Year to all!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and made some great resolutions.   I spent my Christmas holiday in Istanbul, Turkey and I was mesmerized by the sites of that beautiful and exotic city!  The Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, & Topkapi Palace all took my breath away.  Each are astonishing in their own right and showcase the unique cultural point of view Istanbul is known for.  Literally a bridge between Asia & Europe, HAGIA SOPHIA - ISTANBUL, TURKEYthis sprawling megalopolis was a crucial port city for thousands of years.  It was so powerful to stand in buildings that were created over 1500 years ago!

Of course I had to spend some time shopping!  I was so proud to find Salvatore Ferragamo at the heart of the city's most exclusive neighborhood - Nisantasi.   Of the international brands on this Rodeo Drive of Istanbul, Ferragamo had the largest boutique!  Chanel and Valentino were a few doors down, but neither had the presence that Ferragamo had.    Dominating the window displays on the entire street was our lame gown from Fall / Winter.   That dress just continues to turn heads around the world. NISANTASI - HOLIDAY DECOR & NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN  It is so exciting to see that Ferragamo is so established throughout the world!   Not many designer brands can say they have a boutique in Istanbul.   This again reinforces the status of Ferragamo for any tourist from Turkey when they are visiting the United States.  KANYON SHOPPING MALL

I also traveled north of the city to a luxury shopping mall called Kanyon.   Again, I found Salvatore Ferragamo leading the fashion pack at Harvey Nichols department store.   The British fashion leader is the most exclusive department store in Turkey.  FERRAGAMO SHOP-IN-SHOP - HARVEY NICHOLS, ISTANBUL Ferragamo & Chanel had the biggest shop-in-shops at Harvey Nicks ( as the call it in London!).  

The next time you have a customer from Istanbul, ask them if they shop at Kanyon Mall - or in the Nisantasi neighborhood.   I'm she or he will be impressed you know their city so well!

If you are in a boutique with Ready-To-Wear, take advantage of the fact that international travelers might not have access to RTW back home.   Many brands are represented by shoes and handbags throughout the world in secondary markets.   Make sure you direct your clients back to RTW after that shoe or bag purchase.  

OFF THE SHELVES

Off the shelves and right off her neck!  FERRAGAMO CJ - HARPERS BAZAAR - JAN. 11 - PAGE 14 The gold necklaces from our upcoming Spring 2011 costume jewelry collection are already creating a buzz.   The gold tone and retro / modern shapes are the perfect accesssories to the colorful and lightweight fabrics coming this Spring.    We've talked before about the imporatance of Costume Jewelry.   There is a huge growth potential for Ferragamo, as these are the pieces that many new customers are able to purchase immediately.    CJ is one the biggest trend categories in fashion at the moment.   Keep in mind, a necklace or a pair of earrings can build a brand image just the same way a frangrance can.   When talking about the costume jewelry collection:  Never say fake - say faux.   Never say plastic - say Resin.  Say "gold tone" when referring to the 100% Brass necklaces from Spring.  These small details add sophistication and finesse to the jewelry.  Harpers Bazaar has a beautiful editorial in the January Issue of the CJ collection.   This showcase is just the perfect conversation starter for you to use with any of your customers.

When I was recently in Palm Beach Gardens for a special event and Spring preview, it was one of the Spring Necklaces that received the first special order of the day.   A man came into the boutique and wanted to order the necklace for his wife that he saw in the window.   The fact he was willing to reserve this piece with his credit card really proves the strength of the new direction Ferragamo is heading!

Also in Harpers Bazaar this month, Actress Julianna Margulies is featured in a steamy spread that has her wearing some super sexy ensembles.   JULIANNA MARGULIES IN FERRAGAMO STYLE 1159 - $290- HARPERS BAZAARFerragamo is the necklace of choice shown throughout the entire spread.   The necklace from the Bazaar spread is the same style reserved in Palm Beach Gardens.   Style 1159- runway "pen" charm necklace -$290, a great gift for the fashionista in training, or for the woman who has everything.

FERRAGAMO TIME

Continuing in the great tradition of the Leading Ladies of Hollywood such as Joan Crawford, Grace Kelly, & Audrey Hepburn - Angelina Jolie is the latest siren of the big screen to be captivated by Salvatore FerragamoANGELINA JOLIE AS ELISE, WEARING THE ELISE - THE TOURIST.

Jolie has just been nominated for a Golden Globe for her work with Johnny Depp in The Tourist.   Jolie is stunning scene after scene - as her beauty almost makes the gorgeous city of Venice fade into the background.   Ferragamo is the shoe that set the tone for look after look of Angelina's character - Elise.    So much so that costume designer Colleen Atwood said the Ferragamo shoes inspired all of her choices for Jolie's wardrobe.  How is that for a Legacy of Luxury?   The Elise will be available in limited editions.   (Be sure to check with your manager for the colors coming to your store).   Angelina and Brad had the whole world captivated as they were snapped sightseeing around Venice with their children.   Here's hoping Angelina wears Ferragamo on the Red Carpet!

Speaking of Red Carpet, this month Ferragamo launches a very exciting program that celebrates the legacy of Salvatore.  FERRAGAMO RED CARPET MTO is FERRAGAMO RED CARPET MTO - FRAGRANCE STYLEcustomized service for the ultimate designer clients.   When Salvatore Ferragamo was first creating his ground breaking designs for the leading ladies of Hollywood, those shoes were made to order.   The event shaped the shoes those ladies wore.  NOW in 2011, the House of Ferragamo is raising the bar on the luxury retail experience by offering a capsule collection of made to order shoes.    6 styles offered in 24 colors can be customized for just for her!  There are hardware options and even the ability to add her initials to the shoes!  With a 6 week delivery and modestly priced about 20% above typical retail, this program is the biggest news in the industry of designer footwear!    The kit of color samples is as luxurious as a jewel box and showcases all the options.   Two kits will be permanently based in New York & Beverly Hills, and a third kit (currently in Ala Moana) will travel throughout the country.   ** This is a great opportunity to build your luxury clientele.   Start talking about the program with your best customers now, and work with your manager to have the kit travel to your store once you know you have definite interest.   These are the ultimate shoes for any special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary - or the highlight of a well planned shoe wardrobe.

2011 is already proving to be as exciting a year as 2010! As they say in Turkey - MUTLU YILLAR  or HAPPY NEW YEAR!