SEPTEMBER 15th - IS IT FALL YET?

Well everyone, the Summer is almost a memory and Fall 2011 is on FIRE!  Even though the heat is still with us in most parts of the U.S., Fashion magazines are bursting at the seams with Fall coverage.   Ferragamo leads the way with Trends, Luxury, & Celebrity Support! 

LEGACY OF LUXURY

Fashion's Night Out has become an annual kick off of the Fall season for retailers from coast to coast.  FASHIONABLE HOSTS JESSICA HART, GENIVIEVE JONES, & LADY ALICE ST. CLAIR ERSKINE Thursday Sept. 8th was the night that shoppers from Target to Tiffanys made their way to Madison & 5th Avenues to do some late night shopping and celebrity spotting.   What started as a New York event, now cities around the globe  participate in the festivities.  The Ferragamo Flagship boutique on 5th avenue set the scene for the chicest event in town - a Black & White themed party to benefit the Lincoln Center Institute.  (The LCI is a wonderful organization that promotes the arts, and creative thinking through education of children).   This can be a great conversation starter with any client in the boutique.  "Did you see the photos from our Black & White Ball on Fashion's Night Out?"  Who could resist that opener?   This is an easy way to introduce the RTW collection, or any B&W shoe or handbag in your store.  

The Black & White theme is a classic fashion reference and the perfect choice for the Fall 11 collection.  The graphic color combination of B&W, Houndstooth, & Animal prints create a super chic palette. 489-839 13S494 - POLKA DOT BLACK & WHITE SILK BLOUSE - $740.00  The final touch for the most fashionable wardrobe this Fall is a sheer blouse.   The layering of a sheer blouse over tone on tone camisole or bra is about as sexy a style as you can wear.   WOOL & SILK JUMPSUIT - 489-141 13S430 - $1,900.00A staple in designer fashion, for Fall 2011 it is also a runway trend.  Allure Magazine agrees as they feature the sexy Ferragamo blouse in the September issue in what seems like a Desperate Housewives Fantasy Sequence!    

Massimiliano Giornetti scored the ultimate trifecta as he featured Prints (Animal & Hounds tooth), Menswear Tailoring, & Sheer Silk in his Fall 2011 collection for Ferragamo!   No wonder editors are featuring more Ferragamo ready-to-wear than we have ever seen before.

**Take notice of the fabrics utilized for all of the sheer runway blouses.   They are 100% Silk.   We take this for granted at Ferragamo, but many other MAJOR fashion labels are featuring polyester blouses that are retailing for $4 and $500 more than our Ferragamo blouses -which of course are "Made In Italy".   Talk about the fabrication with your clients and point out the price point range - from $740 for polka-dots (another key trend I almost forgot to mention!) to $890 for Silk Chiffon and $1390 for Silk Lace.   Designer clients will recognize the value.  ** keep in mind that a Valentino silk lace blouse can easily retail for $3,000.00.ALLURE MAGAZINE - SEPT. - FERRAGAMO SILK CHIFFON $890.00

The ultimate sheer fashion statement is the silk chiffon jumpsuit with sheer blouse!  This is for very specific customers and only 4 are being produced in the U.S. - but it is stunning!  (The style is becoming a trademark for Massimiliano - this is now his third collection featuring the jumpsuit).  This jumpsuit retails for $1,900.00

Nothing says "relevent fashion" like red carpet celebs choosing to wear a brand for a photo op.   I'm still gagging oveMADONNA IN VENICE CARRIES A FERRAGAMO BLACK ALLIGATOR CLUTCH- 489-305 $8,500.00r Lady Gaga and all the Ferragamo hounds tooth she wore in August on the View!  That was amazing.   Just when you think "what can top that?" - it happened.  Madonna carrying a Ferragamo Alligator clutch at the Venice Film Festival!  (History may have been written this day - Madonna has now been schooled by Gaga?).   This was the day that Madonna stuck her foot in her mouth (not a Ferragamo, don't worry) by getting caught on a live Microphone saying how much she "loathes Hydrangeas" after a fan presented her with one.   Madonna is in Venice for the screening of her latest film.  W.E., (short for Wallis & Edward) tells the story of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII and the strange tale that was their very public life.   Regardless of what Madonna said - she looked amazing and as usual, her style was blockbuster!  Almost like she got the memo about our Black & White Fete in NYC!   She wore a very prim black dress with a white Peter Pan collar and cuffs.  Madonna hit the 50's references with hair and makeup that are everywhere!  Completing her look were black platform stilettos and the ultimate luxury - a Ferragamo Black Alligator Clutch.  This bag and photo are great selling tools for the same shape that is available in Black Calfskin that retails for $990.00! (style D115 ELLIS 489-636).

SUEDE POWER PUMP WITH METALLIC TOE CAP - D991-490-132 $675OFF THE SHELVES

The hounds tooth theme on the Ferragamo Fall runway show has proven to be one of the hottest looks of the season.  With the print crossing all classifications from dresses, to skirts, to shoes, it is a must have in every client's wardrobe.  The merchandising team has also scored a home run this year as they continue to represent the Runway style in alternate heel heights.   A perfect example is the black sued power pump with metal-chain cap toe and the hounds tooth printed sole.  (while Louboutin and YSL battle it out it out in court to see who can "own" the red sole, let's dazzle them with the hounds tooth styling).MEOW KITTEN HEEL! - E030-489-303 IN BLACK SUEDE - $595.00

The kitten heel is making a major comeback this year as 50's styling is front and center.  Thanks to the continued success of the TV show Madmen, the lower heel height and neat, clean styling is all the rage.  Of course this heel height just makes sense for so many women looking for fashion but not wanting to do a stiletto or super high heel.

The most versatile group of bags for Fall is without a doubt the Gancio Lock family!  The Gancio Heritage and updatad classic styling speak to the DNA of Ferragamo.  Furthermore, these bags really hit home with our core customers. FERRAGAMO GANCIO LOCK -BLACK CALFSKIN ELEANOR TOTE - $2,390.00  Fashionable women, who don't look for screaming logos to validate a luxury purchases.   The clean lines and practical styling of this group makes the bags not only fashionable, but useful.  A perfect solution for the busy professional, these are the perfect day to evening option.   Durable and lightweight calfskin is offered across the range of sizes, from clutch to tote.   Super luxe Hair Calf also makes a statement in Black, Oxblood, or cool Grey.   Of course, the ultimate leather is Lambskin and that is reserved for the "Daffy" small tote.  FERRAGAMO GANCIO LOCK- LAMBSKIN "DAFFY" TOTE - $2,390.00 The interwoven strips of lambskin gives artisanal detailing that remains understated.   That is a bag that makes people stop and really take note.   These beautiful bags are high priority this season as they appear in our Fall Catalog and the Accessory Mailer.  With a price range from $1,050 to $2,590, they are a great option for so many clients.   Be ready to answer questions on which is Calf and which is Lamb.   One touch is all it takes to feel the difference.    ** Remember, although lambskin is more delicate than Calf, it is a durable leather.   Small scratches and marks can be rubbed out MARIE-CLAIRE GIVES READERS THE FERRAGAMO DOSSIERwith a clean, dry finger.   The oils from our skin react with the leather and smooth away small imperfections.   A lambskin bag can last for decades.**

FERRAGAMO TIME

With the amazing success of our Runway, Handbag, and Shoe collections, it is exciting to see the Ferragamo legacy and the story of Salvatore front and center in fashion magazines around the world.  Be sure to refresh your memory with the important dates and events of Salvatore's legendary success that changed the world of fashion forever!  

What an exciting Fall Season!