At least one group of characters in the news are claiming that the end of the world is happening this month! I won't go into their methodology on the apocalypse- but I will say this - the Ferragamo Collection for men is TO DIE FOR this Spring!!
OFF THE SHELVES - MENSWEAR
FERRAGAMO SS 11 - ELITE TRAVELER - MARCH / APRILFerragamo menswear is as hot as it could be! Every major Men's magazine from Esquire to GQ to Homme to The Robb Report are chock full of editorials from Ferragamo. (Bravo to the Ferragamo PR Team). Departures Magazine & Conde Nast Traveler also tell the same story - fashionable men of all ages want to wear what Ferragamo has. Never before do we have such a rich base of options and themes to offer men of all styles that walk into one of our boutiques. If you work in the women's department - this is a great point to keep in mind. You can suggest items from any men's category - the guy in her life is sure to love whatever she picks out. Few brands can say they offer something for a son, a lover, a husband, a father, or a brother. Extremely rare for a designer brand to be able to dress such a wide demographic and age range of men. 
CHRIS HEMSWORTH IN SS EXIT 16 SWEATER - INTERVIEW MAY 11
Case in point - one of the hottest box office actors in Hollywood - Chris Hemsworth is prominently featured wearing a Ferragamo sweater of runway exit 16 from Spring 11 in the May issue of Interview Magazine. Hemsworth stars as Thor in theaters now. The movie is number 1 an
CHRIS HEMSWORTH AS THORd has grossed 120 million dollars in 10 days. So if the God of Thunder is wearing Ferragamo - shouldn't the man or men in your life be too? ( You can borrow that line).
FERRAGAMO WINGTIPS / HERMES BRIEFCASE - ELITE TRAVELERAnother great example is featured in Elite Traveler in May. The wingtip / spectator has always been a classic men's shoe - but this year - it is a true fashion statement. This editorial really drives the point home that Ferragamo and Hermes are synonymous for Men looking for luxury goods - made from the finest raw materials and hand crafted by the finest artisans in the business. This option represents the classic wingtip with a Great Gatsby Style - perfect for a summer lawn party. At the other end of the spectrum is the hot editorial in Departures Magazine for May. 
DENTON LACE UP IN COBALT PATENT LEATHER - DEPARTURES MAY/JUNE 11 This patent leather Denton lace up in cobalt, blue, & black is not a spectator - but the broguing (perforated patterns) and color combo looks like a new variation on the classic -and is as rock and roll as it gets! This pair can be the perfect touch for a crisp tailored suit or a pair of well worn jeans. So it doesn't matter if the next guy that walks into your store is an investment banker or a singer in a Rockabilly band - we've got him covered!
This sense of synergy has crossed over to the women's collections in the last two seasons. Our women's RTW is now a collection that fashionable wives can shop - while her stylish husband shops the men's department. Again, not something most brands can say. Don't take this for granted as it is not happening for most of our fashion competitors!
FERRGAMO TIME - (as in time for Ferragamo RTW)
FERRAGAMO, BURBERRY, & CHANEL - APRIL ELLENot to be outshone this season, Ferragamo Donna editorial credits just don't stop! I have to give a shout out to the super sexy credit from the April issue of Elle. While this tunic might not be in stores, what was so spectacular about the look was the mix of color and the playful sense of proportions. Not a look for everyone, but one to get you thinking. Don't be afraid to suggest an offbeat color combination - or a long knit or fabric top - as a dress. Of course the reverse is true - don't limit yourself with a short dress - offer it back to leggings or tights. Resources like American Apparel are an excellent choice when you need to match a perfect t-shirt color or legging for layering. If you make that extra effort to find it and put it all together - you have a customer a life! ** This is a great exercise to do during the season when new styles arrive. Take that new item and put together a whole outfit from the one piece. From shoes to CJ - and even if it means finding t-shirts, leggings, or another layering piece elsewhere - so you are ready to suggest it and make a phone call to make it happen. That is customer service, and that is what will separate you from the sea of bad sales associates in our industry. Also, you would be surprised how much this can work in your favor - as many times - sales are referred back to you from the least likely places. Use your potential connections to your advantage!
FERRAGAMO, HERMES, STELLA McCARTNEY, BALLY, & COACH
Another important category this Spring is the drawstring (bucket) bag! We have talked about them before - but it is worth repeating. I know these bags don't always sell themselves so easily - but a customer will love them once she gets one home. Lightweight and convenient, the drawstring is luxurious and gives her instant attitude when carrying this bag low on the hip. Elle also had a great representation of the Ferragamo drawstring bag. Suggest one today and show your customer how to wear it - and how she can knot the strap and play with the length. Priced at $1,090 this tan version that was featured in the April issue of Elle is a luxurious bargain!
FERRAGAMO HAND CROCHET - BUCKET BAG In addition to leather and suede, we also had one drawstring bag that incorporated one of the biggest trends of the season - crochet. Lucky Magazine has a great shot featuring the Ferragamo Crochet bucket bag - worn oh-so-cool across the body against cotton chambray. Lucky is a great magazine as it is read by many younger customers and also a broader audience that than some of the strictly "runway" magazines. Of course, Ferragamo fit right in!
LEGACY OF LUXURY
With the lazy days of summer just ahead, let's focus on a few styles that celebrate a leisurely and luxurious lifestyle. Elegant and refined is a great way to envision upcoming weekend getaways. Remember, over 80 years ago Salvatore Ferragamo was the destination for the richest women in the world who wanted to have the perfect shoe created for them. Today, we can celebrate that legacy in style with one of the Creations limited edition styles. A perfect suggestion for summer is Leslie. Originally designed in 1959, this unique sandal is one of the styles designed for Audrey Hepburn. 
CREATIONS COLLECTION - LESLIE - $630.00 Available in Silver, Gold, Black, or Dark Red and priced at $630 - this is an amazing summer shoe. Limited to 500 per color per style worldwide - there is no other designer that offers this exclusivity under one thousand dollars. This version in Gold can work beautifully with a formal silk pantsuit - or even cool and casual back to the Lucky Magazine editorial! (talk with your manager about a strategy to get your best customer in a pair of Creations this season).
STYLISH BOW - D333-469-793-$395.00Keeping simplicity and monochromatic colors in mind ( so important and on trend this year), two other styles in stores now are an exciting way to keep your customers in Vogue.
Arriving fashionable late in the boutiques for Spring, Stylish Bow
JIL SANDER SPRING 2011 is just what the fashion editors ordered! The perfect shoe to pop those colorful ensembles on every runway in Paris and Milan. Talk to your clients about the head to toe color blocks shown on the runways of Ferragamo, Akris, & Jil Sander. The leather bow detailing
AKRIS SPRING 2011 of this "Stylish Bow" group is understated and beautiful. The simple and luxurious details also make the shoe so neutral and ageless. A girl in her 20's can rock this with a Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt, while a woman in her 50's can really pull together a beautifully tailore Jil Sander pant suit 
STYLISH BOW - D306-469-001-MERCURIO- $450with the same shoe! Plan the conversations you will be having in your head now.
Remember, the things we achieve tomorrow are the ideas we think about today!