APRIL SHOWERS - FASHION TRENDS & FLOWERS

FERRAGAMO JACKET, KNIT, AND SKIRT / BALMAIN BAG / GIANVITO ROSSI BOOTS - W MAGAZINE "CONCRETE JUNGLE"OFF THE SHELVES - Camouflage in Bloom?

Spring 2013 has a split personality.   One is feminine and floral, and one is masculine and military.  It's a balance between retro floralVALENTINO CAMO CLUTCH - $1,695.00 motifs and timeless military references.  In short, it's a play on contradiction - masculine / feminine.  While military style is an inspiration that comes and goes, Ferragamo was a major trend setter this time around.  CAMOUFLAGE JACKET GETS TRENDY -$1,300.00 - FIGUE COLLECTIONIn the Fall 2012 runway collection, Massimiliano referenced beautiful Russian military officer trench coasts, which influenced Spring collections around the world.  For Spring 2013, MassimilianoFERRAGAMO RUNWAY SANDALS SOFTEN MILITARY TAILORING! took a military palette of moss green and muted earth tones and reinvented the concept of the American trench coat.   The result? - Tailored, sophisticated shapes that have feminine roots with a masculine edge.   The perfect partner to military / olive green is Camouflage.  GANCINO ZIP TOTE - A PERFECT BALANCE OF STRUCTURE AND SUPPLE CALFSKIN Most often camo finds a home in street style and youth fashion found in department stores that appeal to college students.  This year however, there are a few high end collections that went Camo.   This is a HUGE trend.   NYC is awash in military green jackets and camo accessories in every shape!  Camo is more often a guy thing, military more feminine.  The recently launched FIGUE (pronounced FIG) collection has military and camo jackets emroidered with gheckos that have PRADA RETRO FLOWERS - POP ART IN BLOOMbecome  best sellers.  The designer behind Figue, Stephanie von Watzdorf, was the orginal clothing designer at Tory Burch.   She left that mega "faux-luxe" brand to launch her own global bohemian, seasonless collection.   **Figue already has a big following TOWN & COUNTRY IN FULL BLOOM - FERRAGAMO VARA FEATURED!with the St. Barts, St. Tropez crowd**

It's a fine line between sophisticated and pedestrian.   Personally, I think the Valentino accessories are a bit of a  stretch.  I don't think it fits with the image of Valentino.  But perhaps, Valentino really doesn't have an "image" these days?  However, the leather goods are selling well and they are great accessories for the Ferragamo Spring runway collection!   ** Be prepared to suggest shoes and bags that compliment camo / military colors.**  

Another big trend for Spring is the perennial concept of Flowers VARA IN BLOOM - FLORAL FERRAGAMO - $495.00- for obvious reasons.   Women love floral prints anytime of year, but when the weather is warming and the sun is shining - who can resist.   Prada has taken a retro (what else) tone as they presented stoic flowers on RTW and accessories.GUCCI PRINTED RESORT DRESS   It's a bit Madmen meets Pop art.   Prada RTW sets the image for the house while the accessories are driving profits.   The Ferragamo Vara is right on trend and beautifully positioned to complement SO many women wanting a Spring pick me up.   Town & Country Magazine plastered a whole page of beautiful floral accessories in a story titled BLOOMSDAY!  The page features a bouquet of ideas from a Bulgari Fine Jewelry ring, to a Lady Dior Bag, to our Ferragamo Floral Vara icons!  There is something undeniably uplifting and happy about flowers and floral motifs.  It's important to know when to say when.  Gucci floral from head to toe might be too much, but used as a print or pop of color - floral patterns can be trendy, chic, and just plain happy.

LEGACY OF LUXURY 

Dressing celebrities is a vibrant part of the Ferragamo history and legacy.   From the very begging, Salvatore Ferragamo created luxurious designs for the rich and famous.   Most leather goods houses began as luggage or riding resources.  Ferragamo is a unique example of a global luxury brand that began creating luxury goods to be worn by women. OLGA KURYLENKO - GORGEOUS IN FERRAGAMO SPRING RUNWAY  Mr. Ferragamo began with shoes, and also dreamed of a time when his name would represent luxury from head to toe.   Today, that dream is a reality.   One beautiful actress making that dream come true recently was Olga Kurylenko. OSCAR WINNER HALLE BERRY IN FERRAGAMO SUNGLASSES & COOL CAMO PANTS Co-starring with Tom Cruise in Oblivion, Ms. Kurylenko was head to toe Ferragamo on EXTRA TV with Mario Lopez.   How is that for current? 

Oscar winning actress Halle Berry is known for her great style and more recently for her personal life drama.  (Seems her gorgeous ex-boyfriend hates her current gorgeous boyfriend).   Halle stepped out in LA in Ferragamo Sunglasses - so chic!   Having just announced her pregnancy, that might explain why Berry was slightly more casual than we usually see her, but SO well accessorized.  Need I mention the CAMO pants?

A dynamic category that has huge growth potentialFERRAGAMO SUNGLASSES- STYLE 600S - $275.00 is sunglasses.   While the collection is popular, think of the possibility if every client owned at least 1 pair!   This is one category that can really benefit from paparazzi shots of the rich and famous in real life.   Sunglasses are an aspirational item that can be the gateway to a future handbag, shoe, and RTW client.  The dream can start with eyewear and work down from head to toe!  Never underestimate the opportunity that selling a pair of sunglasses can have.   Remember - sunglasses fit even if you put on a few extra pounds.  They are diet proof.

**Dont' forget to suggest a pair to every handbag client.  Glasses are a great way to complete a look with hardware and color details.**

The Future's so bright - you HAVE to wear Shades!!