FERRAGAMO -FASHION FORWARD FALL

TILDA SWINTON IN FERRAGAMOOFF THE SHELVES & ON THE COVER

Another week, another amazing statement from the house of Ferragamo.   Fresh on the heels of the global press our Resort show is generating, comes this outstanding cover shot of Tilda Swinton on W Magazine!  (Run out and buy a copy for your boutique today!).  Swinton is an alluring beauty and unique creature in Hollywood.   A darling of indie movies, Swinton is the rare bird that avoids big budget Hollywood films, for more cerebral, creative projects.    A darling also of the hottest fashion designers from New York to Milan, Swinton takes risks and has fun with her fashion choices.  Her androgynous look fits perfectly into the menswear inspired fashion for FAll 2011.   Most recently she gave global attention to Belgian based French designer Haider Ackerman ( the man Karl Lagerfeld said should succeed him one day).    Massimiliano's  Fall Runway collection could not make a stronger statement about his vision of the Ferragamo Woman.   Luxury fabrics and classic luxury styling give glamour and sophistication by the mile!  Soft silk fabrics, light weight and seasonless, complimented by tailored pieces - a play on masculine and feminine - a perfect mix of substantial looks and soft accents.  NAVY CASHMERE - 13-B603-486-532-$3,200.00  The use of silk chiffon for sheer elements is a major trend for Fall.    Make a point to mention to your clients that these blouses are silk.   Silk blouses made in Italy under $1,000.00 or just over- these are details to be proud of, as many houses (even major named collections) produce polyester pieces at higher price points than these silk creations.

To complete any look - OUTERWEAR.   Start planning which of your customers would look best in the trench coats and shawl collar cashmere coats for Fall.   Great collectables, these coats are the perfect travel item, as they layer wellSTRETCH WOOL PANT - NAVY-486-711-$690.00 and become a classic go-to favorite.   Styled as you see, she looks like a modern day cowboy - how chic and on trend! 

The great thing about menswear inspired looks is just how easy they are to merchandise and style a look.   A few key pieces can give you the look of the season, while also building a classically chic wardrobe.   Case in point - the  stretch wool and cotton pant from Fall Winter in Navy or Black.   Priced at $690 - that is a pant to show every fashion client you have.   Worn back to a tailored jacket it is the perfect menswear look.   Worn back to a silk charmeuse blouse like we see here - what is more sexy and feminine?   In addition to being so on trend, notice she is totally covered - making this appropriate for clients who are more modest - yet still want to feel sexy. 

LEGACY OF LUXURY - ORIGAMIORIGAMI BOW - D483-CHIRA - CEMENT $595.00

A perfect partner to the silk peasant blouse or tailored silk blouse on the W cover is any style from the Origami shoe Collection.  A traditional Japanese artform, origami, like silk itself, represents delicate luxury.  ( No fabric is more luxurious than silk.   For centuries silk production has been a sign of sophistication in Asia.   The nature of the production - harvesting the filament of the silk worm is a perfect metaphor for the artisan and the art of fashion design.   Man has never been able to improve on the creation that this beautiful creature gives us.   A sign of luxury yesterday, today, and forever).   Also a tradition in Japan is the art of Origami.   The intricate folds and complicated creations of this time honored tradition come alive in our sexy pumps and booties for Fall 2011.   The iconic Vara bow reinterpreted with six triangular folds of grograin ribbon.   The bootie is a perfect way to complement any menswear inspired look, and the peep toe couldn't be more feminine.    What better way to make an entrance than wearing a pair of bright red peep-toe pumps!ORIGAMI BOW - CORAN BOOTIE - D586-$825.00   Picture that with all black - or all Navy.. remember - this is the year of color color color!   Encourage all your clients to combine shades they might not think of.

** Also, a sexy and fun look for Summer.   The gray suede origami peep toe against a pastel pedicure!   I just saw this look in our Flagship boutique on 5th Avenue.   Pastel Orange toes back to the icy blue gray of the Origami peep toes! Amazing!  Worn back to skin tight white jeans and a silk top - Ferragamo Femme Fatale!!

What handbags could be better to complete all these looks than the GANCIO LOCK - AFRICAN LAMBSKIN - OXBLOOK / BLACK $2,390.00Gancio lock group!   From the sexy oversized clutch in cement (perfect back to the stretch wool trouser and peasant blouse), to the shoulder bag in Oxblood, to the layered lines of the framed Daffy Tote in Lambskin - these bags are a must have. GANCIO TOTE IN CALFSKIN  Timeless, understated, and all about craftsmanship - they represent the DNA of the Ferragamo brand.  ** Introduce Oxblood into her wardrobe  as an alternative neutral to black.**

FERRAGAMO TIME

Salvatore Ferragamo created a legacy that cannot be duplicated.   As romantic and relevant as the story behind Hermes, or Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo is a cornerstone of the fashion industry.   The first designer to take shoes to a luxury platform, Ferragamo became a global symbol of the designer shoe.  FERRAGAMO FALL 2011 RUNWAY Having said that, we also have a long history in ready-to-wear.  This is important, because the fact is - the fashion industry was created and is still fueled by the image of clothing.   Originally based on Couture, now RTW runs the industry.  YSL (a strong inspiration for many Fall 2011 collections) is credited with inventing RTW when he left Christian Dior to launch his own collection in 1961.    Having launched the RTW collection in 1965, Ferragamo has now been in the business of clothing for over 45 years.   We should all be proud of this history.   These dates are important to remember, YSL himself having launched his own collection just a few years before, and many of the major fashion houses (Gucci and Louis Vuitton) did not launch RTW until several decades later.   While we celebrate the explosion of attention Massimiliano Giornetti has brought to our Women's collections this year, lets focus on Ready To Wear, as it only strengthens our relevance and creates a beautiful palette for our iconic shoes and handbags.