OFF THE - FASHION CHART!
It's August - so this if your official reminder that if you haven't been swimming, gone to a beach, or spent time in a park with your shoes off - you are having SD - Summer Denial. Pretending it isn't bikini season, doesn't make it go away. Fashion fanatics around the country will be flipping through the August issues of Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar from this weekend on. Chic sun bathers are soaking up the rays protected with designer SPF (anti-aging) as they start lining up items to buy for Fall when they are back in town.
One of the biggest Fall stories - COATS. I know outerwear is a category that can send shivers down any retailer's back. Why the worry? Every few years unseasonably warm weather in the Fall can wipe out the full price selling season. All the more reason to celebrate Ferragamo's 180 turn from a collection full of "appropriate items" to one bursting with "fashion must haves" over the last 3 years. Massimiliano Giornetti has ignited a fire in runway watchers around the world. These ladies don't buy what they need, they buy what the want. It doesn't matter if it's 80 degrees outside, if a fur coat is calling her name - it's going home. Magazines are full of beautiful outerwear options - and Ferragamo is well represented.
**For decades, TEXAS has always led the country in fur coats per capita.. last time I checked, they don't get too much snow!**
Let's give her a few reasons shall we? One to get her envy up, and one to get her shopping!
We begin with two words that defined fashion in the 90's - Cindy Crawford! She's baaaack...(not that she has ever left the media spotlight). A key member of the SUPERMODEL circle that only needed one name-Cindy, Naomi, Linda, Claudia, & Kate (throw in a Tatjana or two - seriously there were two)- all American Cindy Crawford appears to have found the fountain of youth, and the secret to happiness. Married to entrepreneur Rande Gerber, this mother of two, business mogul, and gorgeous model, makes turning 50 seem like no big deal at all (Crawford is 47). Her level head has proved to be as big an asset as her gorgeous looks or iconic beauty mark. Cindy graces the cover of MUSE Magazine from Italy- followed up inside with a full fashion spread. Page after page of red hot fashion from Fall 2013. The Ferragamo White Leather trench coat perfectly portrays the trend - Ultra Luxe Outerwear that becomes the outfit. White leather - what is more luxurious than that? An amazing image for fashion fans just discovering Ferragamo RTW.
Why should you be sharing this image with every client you speak to? Because Cindy Crawford has that "girl next door" quality that has always made her popular - with women, as well as men. Her image inspires women. Never anorexically skinny, or the recipient of (cough) man made assets..her beauty is sophisticated and quite natural. Cindy Crawford has the spirit of the Salvatore Ferragamo woman.
Now one to buy: The beautiful mohair coat prominently featured in Elle Magazine's -"COVER ARTISTs" in August. This outerwear focused editorial samples the most fashionable coats for Fall - Ferragamo made the short list along with Fendi, Celine, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander, Maxmara, Lanvin, & Proenza Schouler.
The rich blue color of our Mohair coat is the new black. Worn back to black, gray, autumnal browns, you name it - this coat is an investment piece. More importantly (making my point) - its beautiful and cool.
Legacy of Luxury=FERRAGAMO TIME
While I'm on the topic of ageless supermodels, let's talk about Amber Valetta. While many of the supers have taken time off to start a family or just rest (Christy Turlington, the above mentioned Cindy C) Amber Valetta has remained in the spotlight, in fashion and beauty campaigns, and on the the big screen - building a serious acting resume. Amber has a timeless beauty that fashion editors around the world are drawn back to again and again. This month she stars in the feature editorial of VOGUE. In a breathtaking editorial shot at Ground Zero titled "STATUS UP DATE", Vogue magazine chose handbags that go beyond the "it" bag of the season. Timeless luxury bags for today, tomorrow, and always. Take note of the superb styling and let these looks inspire your advice to Ferragamo shoppers. Also notice coats taking center stage - even in a story about accessories. Of course the most coveted piece of the this photo - The Salvatore Ferragamo Crocodile Sofia - acting as Amber's security blanket in her over the top fashion world shoot. The exotic sofias are always a true collectible each season. With less than a dozen (sometimes 2, 3, or 5) produced for the United States each season, there is no other luxury house of fashion producing a finer handbag in more limited quantities. (Oxford Blue or Black for PreFall). With a retail range of $18,000 to $26,000 the Crocodile Sofia is also priced right in line with the her counterpart - The CHANEL jumbo classic in Alligator. What fantastic company!
To see the images of Amber on-line don't do them justice, photographer Mikael Jansson is a master behind the lens. Get your copy of Vogue Magazine today. There are Ferragamo handbag and shoe editorials throughout the issue! **Keep the exotic sofia in mind for that special occasion a client might be planning.**
Salvatore Ferragamo... as they say.. "It's in Vogue".