APRIL 1, 2011- NO FOOLING HERE!

LEGACY OF LUXURY - FALL 11 RUNWAY RECAP

HOUNDS TOOTH SKIRT - FERRAGAMO FALL 2011As Winter rolled on in February and March - fashion designers from New York, Milan & Paris showed their vision of Fall 2011.  Let's take a minute to recap:

MILAN

The views and reviews of Massimiliano Giornetti's vision of Ferragamo just keeps getting better!  BLACK & WHITE PRINTS - SEXY & CHIC Dubbed "the sleeper hit" of Milan fashion week by Style.com, the collection was super chic, super sleek, and oh so sophisticated from start to finish.  The Wall Street Journal said Ferragamo was "one of the better collections of Milan Fall Fashion season".  After just three collections, Massimiliano's Ferragamo Woman has certainly made a major impression on editors around the world!

PIN STRIPES & POLKA DOTS - MASCULINE / FEMININEWhile many have referenced the 60's and 70's the last few seasons, Massimiliano looked to the 80's with a relevant and modern interpretation.   The play on masculine and feminine detailing with tailored silhouettes marked a key trend for the season, and is a classic reference that real women can feel confident wearing.   Dresses, skirt suits, and coats are the silhouettes our best customers should be planning for fall.   Black and White, hounds tooth, and prints all popped on the runway.  The play of dark and light with masculine and feminine tailoring was stunning and sexy, while still respecting the core DNA of Ferragamo - gorgeous!  Accessories were on the same page with some of the most luxurious handbag and shoe detailing - from jewel encrusted stilettos to hounds tooth painted python!!

Keep talking about color now for Spring - because you will have great black and white options for her Fall wardrobe.   The chicest way of course is layering in black and white solids with the colorful pieces she is buying now for Spring.

 NEW YORK

New York showsMARC JACOBS - SPOTTED DRESS F11 happen before Europe these days, meaning the stakes are high for American designers to prove their relevance (before the French & Italian designers steal the show).

Marc Jacobs is always a show that gets MUCH press.  One time the bad boy of the New York fashion world with his namesake collection - he is now Creative Director of Louis Vuitton as well.  For Fall 2011 - Marc referenced the 60's with polka dots.   One of the more wearable looks was this high waisted, short sleeved dress with a fuller and longer skirt length. 

Douglas Hannant is the Bill Blass of this generation. DOUGLAS HANNANT SKIRT SUIT - F11  Classically American, his clients are the ladies who lunch, attend benefits, and put the lite in Socialite!   Hannant gives his ladies what they want season after season.  There are always skirt suits, little cocktail dresses, and glam evening gowns.  His first boutique opened last fall at the Plaza Hotel. 

The Proenza Schouler (say Skooler) boys are the new generation of designers making it PS PRINTED DRESS - F11to that next level.   Around now for almost 10 years, the two met in Parsons designer school and named the company after the maiden names of their mothers.   For Fall 11, the guys took Native American prints as an inspiration and digitized them - giving the look a modern feel that is unique.

PARIS

LITTLE RED CHANEL JACKET -F11Season after season, all eyes at the Paris shows are on the Chanel collection and what Karl Lagerfeld will do next.  This season Karl was feeling apocalyptic and staged the show against a charred futuristic runway.   The collection was full of cool items that are sure to speak to the younger customers that are clamoring for a little Chanel in her wardrobe.  The shrunken jacket was one of the strongest looks.  The show could have used an edit - but the items are worth the wait. 

Probably the mostTHE LAST GALLIANO COLLECTION FOR DIOR talked about and anticipated show in Paris was of course - Christian Dior.   After the very public meltdown of designer John Galliano, and video tirade that went viral,  speculation was high on what would happen to the already planned show.   In the end, the house paid tribute to the artisans behind the scenes who make those beautiful pieces.   Regardless of what Galliano did, Paris fashion won't be the same for some time without his seasonal reinvention of Dior rtw and Couture.  He is that rare designer who can design very sexy, at a very high level, without crossing the line to vulgar.  How ironic that now seems. 

OFF THE SHELVES

With all the attention stilettos and platforms have been given in magazine after magazine over theDOLORES SANDAL - D259-469-683-$650.00last 3 years, it is no surprise that flat sandals for Spring / Summer seem like such an exciting alternative.   Of course, Ferragamo just about invented the designer sandal (see Ferragamo Time).  Flat sandals are always a strong pointDADDY SUEDE TIE-UP - SANDAL - D266-469-692- $550.00 for the House of Ferragamo to showcase the DNA of the footwear collection.   Styles Dolores and Daddy both have a 70's vibe and also reference a timeless Grecian sandal.   The raw edges with thick hand stitches and gold hardware give them an edge and really make them of the moment.   The perfect option with all those fitted trousers and pants in the boutique right now! 

METALLIC MUSETTA - C582-469-010- $925.00 - HAMMERED SILVER GANCIOThe perfect Summer handbag to add to any fashionable wardrobe is an evening clutch.  These little gems can be dressed down with the right pant suit or jean, then dressed all the way to the nines for evening.   We know Ferragamo is a powerhouse resource for clutches.   Vogue thought so as well.  The editorial in December Vogue was hot! EDITH - STINGRAY MINAUDIERE -C625-469-364-$1,290.00 A stingray clutch is one of those collectible items that will be in fashion forever - and how sexy!  That is a classic luxury item that can bring any outfit together.  At $1,290.00, the stingray clutch with gold detailing is a great investment piece. 

BRAVO ATTIMO!

AWARD WINNING - ATTIMOATTIMO by Ferragamo Parfums has just won the Accademia del Profuma 2011 Award as the best feminine fragrance in the "Made in Italy" product category.  What a great conversation starter for any client you are working with!  What a great inspiration to sell a fragrance.   I hear time after time that clients fall in love with Ferragamo fragrances while shopping for shoes and make them their signature scent.   

FERRAGAMO TIME

In 1923 Salvatore Ferragamo designed open sandalsTHE 10 COMMANDMENTS - 1923- SHOES BY FERRAGAMO for Egyptian characters in Cecil B. DeMille's Epic - "The 10 Commandments".  Ferragamo's designs were an instant hit and for the first time in fashion history, starlets were ordering  custom made sandals by a first class shoe artisan at his new Hollywood Boot Shop on Las Palmas Blvd.  

The relationship with DeMille that followed solidified Salvatore Ferragamo in Hollywood - and his ground breaking designs would impact the look of countless films that remain legendary to this day.