JUNE 2011 - SUMMER BEGINS!

OFF THE SHELVES   

While the official start of the Summer season is June 21st, the celebrated start for the season is of course Memorial Day weekend!   (In Europe, the Cannes Film Festival is always the first true hint of the coming Summer season - but I'll get to that in a moment).   Clients from coast to coast in the U.S. are opening Summer houses and planning their wardrobe for vacations full of sun and fun!  FERRAGAMO "CARRIE" RUBY RED LEATHER PRINTED PYTHON -$425.00While we can't guarantee the fun - we can make sure they are super chic and in style wherever Summer plans take them.   While most of the year we are looking ahead in the fashion world, This month of June is a magical time when everyone is looking for something to wear NOW!   Weekends at the beach or drives in the country can all use the perfect item to complete a chic wardrobe.   "CASSIA" WAXED CALFSKIN PUMP- $495.00

One style that is a perfect suggestion for this warm weather arrival -a canvas tote!  What is more practical in Summer than a great tote?  From Beverly Hills to Bal Harbour, this is a style that women want to carry - especially in the Summer.  This canvas bag trimmed in calfskin features a vintage Ferragamo logo from a 1930's advertisement run here in the United States.  (Talk about legacy!).   The tote is available in two sizes and retails for $740 and $820.  FERRAGAMO VINTAGE LOGO - CANVAS TOTE - C507 / C 564 - $740 & $820 This is a great style that can bridge the gap between being functional and remaining fashionable.    (a great alternative to the Longchamp or L.L. Bean tote).

In shoes, let's go on a little summer holiday-over the rainbow!   While Salvatore Ferragamo famously created those rainbow platforms for Judy Garland as she premiered The Wizard of Oz back in the 30's- these Ruby Red flats in printed python with Gancio Belt Buckle detailing will make any woman feel like she can click her heels three times and go anywhere!  Summer is the perfect time to go a little casual in clothing and make that outfit pop with a stunning shoe.   Priced at $425, she won't need a pot of gold on the other side of the rainbow to add these to her summer wardrobe.

The same shoe theme offers an understated but sexy pump.   The Gancio Belt buckle detailing is featured here and makes this shoe one style that can go from day to evening - just add lipstick, fragrance, and attitude and she is ready to go!

*It is amazing timing that the fashion magazines are stacked with page after page of red hot Ferragamo editorial.  ANGELINA JOLIE IN FERRAGAMO - CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2011 This puts our Ferragamo Boutiques in a position of power - as many of the editorials are runway collection and typically not bought by the department stores - meaning - you are the ONLY place she will find those styles.    This is empowering for Ferragamo associates as there is no opportunity for a client to reserve it at three different stores - playing all against each other (Unfortunately I have witnessed this in my travels with other brands on more than one occasion.FERRAGAMO BOUTIQUE - CANNES, FRANCE

Also encouraging is the recent NY Post report on the state of luxury retailing in the U.S.   Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue both had very strong first quarter results in 2011.   Ferragamo has also felt the surge in consumer confidence in boutiques from coast to coast over the last three months, and this is a confirmation that we should be capitalizing on the opportunity that has unfolded.    The luxury client feels confident shopping again and the Ferragamo collection is strong in all categories from head to toe - in both Men's and Women's collections.    I'm always talking about timing and rare occurrences.  All these factors are never a given for any brand.   It takes an amazing amount of creativity and hard work to align what is happening right now at Ferragamo!RYAN GOSLING IN FERRAGAMO - CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2011

To complete the picture for Spring, Red Carpets have also been jam packed with Ferragamo references in all categories - from Ryan Gosling styled in a dapper Great Gatsby-esque  look from the Men's SS 11 collection to Angelina Jolie in a chic and sexy day dress with tone on tone shoe - both at the Cannes Film Festival this Spring.    Be ready to suggest alternative styles that give the same feel as these looks to the next clients asking about these gorgeous shots.   Just because you don't have the exact style in stock - doesn't mean you can't deliver a very similar look for him or her.   Of course I can't see images of Cannes without thinking of the Ferragamo boutique.  The architecturally minimal boutique is on the chicest section of the Croisette - but where else would Ferragamo be?

 LEGACY OF LUXURY

What better season than Summer to enjoy a fine Chianti.   While I could very well be referring to the latest offering from Il Borro - the picturesque Ferragamo Vineyard in Tuscany, but in fact I meant the glamorous stiletto created by Salvatore Ferragamo for sexy screen legend Marilyn Monroe in 1959.   One of several styles created for Marilyn, Chianti was worn in the classic slapstick comedy Some Like It Hot.   Monroe was at her peak of fame and she sizzled in this ahead of it's time movie co-starring Jack Lemmon & Tony Curtis as two musicians forced to cross dress asGREEN CHIANTI - STYLE 01/D053-462233-10CM-$650.00 "girls in the band" - part of twisted and hysterical storyline.  If you haven't seen this classic, rent it this weekend - Marily is at her best!   As with so many designs created by Salvatore, Chianti is as modern today as it was in 59. YELLOW CHIANTI- STYLE 01/D053-462232-$650.00  Offered in the Creations Collection in a pale yellow, lime green, or classic black - this is an easy sale to any fashion fan.  Between the simplicity and sophistication of the shoe,  the fact they are numbered, limited editions,  priced at $650.00, and add to that the fact that it was designed for Marilyn Monroe - are we kidding??  She will want one in every color!  Get a pair for your best clients now - before they are gone.

FERRAGAMO TIME  

Il Borro is another facet of the Ferragamo legacy of luxury and certainly a topic that can be shared with great pride.  The Ferragamo family THE VINEYARDS OF- IL BORRO- TUSCANY, ITALYacquired this estate and hamlet from Duke Amedeo D'Aosta in 1993.  The property has a rich history spanning more than one thousand years.  Located in the symbolic heart of Tuscany, the area has inspired great artists THE ROLLING TUSCAN HILLS OF IL BORRO throughout history, including Leonardo DaVinci.   Through a painstaking and detailed renovation under the guidance of Salvatore Ferragamo, the hamlet and villa has now been restored to their original grandeur.   In addition to the busy vineyard, the property is now a luxury resort and spa.  IL BORO LABEL Il Borro has become a destination for celebrities and sophisticated travellers from around the world.    You can find the resort on Facebook under Il Borro Winery & Resort -where are many more photos and most recent updates -  "Like it" today!   Of course, talking about the resort to any clients visiting Tuscany or Italy in general is wonderful way to promote Ferragamo's luxurious legacy.