AUGUST 15- FULL FERRAGAMO SUMMER

August is known as a casual, sleepy time when the fashion flock hit resorts from Portofino to Costa Careyes.  This year, more than ever, Ferragamo is the talk of the town - whatever town you might be in.  ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA READING ALL ABOUT FERRAGAMO FOR FALL! With a non-stop barrage of editorial and fashionista credits - Salvatore Ferragamo is the hottest designer collection under the sun - from Tuscany to Telluride!    (Be sure to know if your clients have second homes in any of these hot spots).  The first fashion magazine I picked up in the South of France - chock full of Ferragamo editorials!  L'OFFICIEL  is singing Massimiliano's praises (like magazines around the world).  Two full pages showcasing RTW in the August Issue. Menswear tailoring, pinstriping, Sheer layering, animal prints, YSL tribute - the hottest trends are all here for Fall.  What a great way to lead into the season.

OFF THE SHELVES

LADY GAGA IN A FERRAGAMO OVERLOAD! Ferragamo Ready To Wear has re-launched with a splash bigger than any collection in recent memory.   As relevant as when Tom Ford launched Gucci RTW in the 90's, or Karl Lagerfeld took Chanel back from Nursing Home status in the 80's, Ferragamo is the latest "must have" from a house with a legacy as long as your arm.   Massimiliano Giornetti had a crystal ball when he designed this collection.. knowing what would be the hottest trends for Fall.   In fact, with this collection Giornetti has crossed into new territory.   His designs have become part of the select few that have set the trends for the season, with a mention in every major publication's line-up of what is hot for Fall 2011.

There is no celebrity more relevant to the fashion world right now than Lady Gaga.   Gaga made Alexander McQueen a global sensation and revived the collection of Thierry Mugler from the dusty archives.   What Gaga wears, people notice.    On August 1st, 2011 Gaga wore head to toe, to piano Ferragamo!  Performing on The View wearing Dress, Belt, Shoes, & Handbag ALL Ferragamo.   Hat, Sunglasses, and PIANO - homage to Ferragamo.    The photos and video of Gaga performing and being interviewed are plastered on blogs, in magazines, and on TV around the world.    (I'm in France as I write this and images are still her now two weeks after the fact).    More exciting is the fact that this dress is in production and in boutiques for Fall. ANIMAL INSPIRED PRINTED SILK DRESS  A sexy dress with long sleeves is always hard to find.   Add to that the fact that the dress is silk, made from a black and white print, and retails just under $2,000.00 - all makes this item a fashion collectible.   What's more, you can talk about Gaga in Ferragamo to any client under 50 coming through the boutique - even if they would never buy RTW. SEXY, SOPHISTICATED ITEMS THAT HAVE STAND ALONE STYLE  Be sure to immediately suggest one of the several skirts in the collection or blouses / bodysuits.   They go with everything in her wardrobe.  Priced about $790 for a skirt or up to $1,100 for silk blouses, they are unmatched for made it Italy Savoir-Faire.  A skirt or a blouse are both perfect "first purchase" items for a woman of any age just graduating her wardrobe to the world of designer RTW.  Talk to her about trends for the season.  Reference other top collections, and highlight how easily Ferragamo merchandises with these brands.   Even better if you can recognize what she is wearing while shopping - that can be a great ice-breaker to start the conversation.   **(Don't forget to mention how chic and feminine a wrap skirt is)GRAZIA CHAIN - E135- $675.00 - BLACK SUEDE PUMP - CHAIN LINK BOW

The name recognition with Lady Gaga is golden.   I saw this first hand in Chicago during the Fall RTW Trunk show, two days after Gaga wore the dress on The View.   I saw the faces of two young girls light up when they saw the photos.   These lovely young ladies had come into the boutique to buy a wallet for their father.   They had no intention to see RTW, but once they saw Gaga - they headed straight to the RTW department.   THAT is the perfect example of priceless P.R. and marketing!    That created an image of Ferragamo to these girls that did not exist before.   Because it was on a style icon like Lady Gaga, it had more clout than a campaign or runway image.   When these young ladies are ready to shop for a shoe or handbag this Fall (or RTW in a year or two) they will be sure to think of Ferragamo as a first stop on the shopping trail.

E105 - $395.00 VARINA PINSTRIPE**Two perfect shoe options from the commercial runway shoe collection for Fall.**  For her feminine side - Grazia Chain in black suede with that houndstooth sole - definitely a way to get noticed with sparkle from the silver chain Ferragamo! (totally wear NOW)  For a more daytime or tailored feel - Varina Pinstripe - appropriate and fashionable - a favorite combination.

 Fall 2011 is all about mixing prints and making it work, just as Spring 2011 was all about mixing colors not seen before.   Suggest wearing the Prince of Wales with Animal Prints or houndstooth - take a chance, be daring, this is fashion!

LEGACY OF LUXURY

LADY GAGA - FERRAGAMO TO THE MAX!In watching the segments, it is clear that Gaga chose this outfit because she was looking to be more sophisticated for this appearance.   Her body language tells the whole story.   She feels sexy and beautiful in this Ferragamo Dress, Shoes, and when carrying this clutch.  In Fact, the Clutch remained during all segments, with Gaga even placing it on the piano as she performed.   She has never done this with any other designer accessory. 21 C996, ELLIS CLUTCH - HOUNDSTOOTH PRINTED PYTHON - $1,950.00 Talk to your clients today about this most fashionable clutch.  If you don't have this style in the store, refer to any of our powerful clutches for Fall.  Menswear inspiration was all over the Runway and these bags are an excellent way to immediately dress up a look.   Explain the luxurious Python skin has been printed to look like fabric - Hidden luxury!! 

Just as when Salvatore Ferragamo first designed his shoe collection for the biggest names in Hollywood, once again this collection is the height of Fashion.  Be prepared, Ferragamo RTW just became the hottest collection in this town - or any other!  

FERRAGAMO TIME

Let's look at a trend for Fall and how Ferragamo can work with the look.   Tailored jackets are all the rage - we saw our beautiful black velvet tuxedo on Tilda Swinton for the August cover of W Magazine.  DOLCE & GABBANA FALL 2011 RUNWAY A secondary jacket trend is the oversized "boyfriend" jacket.  Dolce & Gabbana and Stella McCartney both showed this look on the runway.   We saw this back in the 80's and they are making a comeback for Fall.  STELLA McCARTNEY FALL RUNWAY  Here is a great way to accessorize the oversized jacket look.    The July issue of Elle Magazine features the Dolce & Gabbana yellow jacket, DOLCE & GABBANA, CHLOE, & FERRAGAMO - FALL 2011Chloe pinstripe pants, and Ferragamo black and white pumps - a very cool way to pull off this look.   (Younger clients are already buying these oversized jackets at H&M and Zara this month).   Much more wearable than the original runway looks and great way to showcase her favorite pair of Ferragamo heels.