OFF THE SHELVES
"Who runs the world? - Girls" - R&B / Pop Diva Beyonce gave the world an anthem for girl power that spelled it out for anyone with a doubt in 2011. Some 50 years earlier James Brown, the king of soul, famously sang - "This is a man's world - but it would be nothing, without a woman or a girl" in 1966 - he knew the deal. (click names to watch the videos - check out James Browns' suit - it is totally current today). Now in 2013, the one and only CHER is back on the music scene with her new hit single (it has already hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Club Dance Chart) - Woman's World - puts it right out there. In the fashion world, what would we do without Women? Not much. While American men have FINALLY come around to styling themselves, it's the ladies that can put a look together and take your breath away!
Women make more fashion choices in a day, than most men make in a year. One trend that is forever in style and worn by the coolest women around the world - menswear tailoring. First, let's talk shoes -most specifically Loafers and Oxfords. There is something so powerful, sexy, and chic about a woman who can put together a look that works in men's oxfords or loafers (with or without the penny). Who better than a style icon like SHARON STONE to pull off the look? This fashion diva has more fun on the red carpet than most, and few have worked those photo ops better! Sharon took to the Jimmy Kimmel show last week in Salvatore Ferragamo head-to-toe! As part of her press tour for her new film Lovelace, Sharon was in Ferragamo again at the movie premiere in Ferragamo RTW and The super cool loafers - in store now! You would be surprised how neutral, and how far reaching these shoes can be. Young girls can work the whole "Marc Jacobs, retro, fabulous, pretty-ugly look". - Think Alexa Chung. Professional woman can pull a straight up pant suit look and own the masculine edge. Think Sharon Stone (admittedly not your average business woman). Fashion plates can take it to another level by mixing masculine, feminine pieces together. Loafers and a mini-skirt? Loafers and a baby doll dress - Genius!! Loafers and Oxfords are accessories that truly looks relevant on women from 18 to 80. In fact, suggest this men's look to those private school girls whose mother shops in your boutique. Charlotte can wear them during the school day, and mom can rock them with that new Stella McCartney long sleeve baby-doll dress. What's that you say? You don't have a super cool fashion client with a daughter in high school?? - WELL LET'S GET YOU ONE! I promise you, she is out there, and she IS shopping, -spending thousands and thousands of dollars at boutiques all over your shopping center. Has she had a Salvtore Ferragamo experience? If not, let's think of how to make one happen!
LEGACY OF LUXURY
I've said it time and again. The importance of designer RTW has never been more clear. At a time when SO MANY collections are moving production off shore, to countries with less than stringent labor laws, finely crafted clothing "Made In Italy" is more and more exclusive and valuable each season. Many "designer" fashion brands garnering major global attention like Michael Kors or Tory Burch - have more in common with H&M and Zara, than they do with luxury fashion houses like Ferragamo, Dior, or Chanel. For a fashion house to be able to produce the innovative and avant garde pieces we see Massimiliano Giornetti creating, in limited quantities (which raises production costs) represents the best in our industry. True French Couture, and our own most expensive RTW pieces are securing the place for luxury goods in the future. (CASE IN POINT - THE NAPPA LEATHER TRENCH - PRODUCED IN THE LIMITED QUANTITY OF 20 UNITS FOR THE US).
The menswear trend we spoke about in shoes, also appears in the RTW collection, and the structured shapes of soon-to-be coveted handbags. Take notice of three excellent outerwear looks that are either in your boutique, or on the way. The leather trench is one of the most luxurious and iconic pieces in the world of fashion, hands down. We saw the Ferragamo white leather trench on Cindy Crawford earlier this month, but here is a look at a much more practical version. Rich black lambskin, lined in dark brown - classic with a luxury twist. With only 20 units being produced for the US, this leather coat is the best example of limited edition. Let's appreciate how exclusive this collection is - NOT available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, or Saks 5th Avenue. **Only Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques have access to these items - making your store a coveted destination of Italian Luxury Goods.**
If she is not one of the lucky 20 women who will own that leather trench, let's look at a very chic option for on the go, everyday life. This wool coat with slight asymmetric button detail is tailored, but can be worn casually. It is the perfect companion to the Loafer look and one of those jackets that becomes a seasonal favorite.
A little more tailored is the quilted 3/4 coat. A perfect option to layer over a suit or evening dress. Rich quilted details and a mix of fabrics, wool and nylon, makes this coat one to wear as a key travel companion.
FERRAGAMO TIME
Iconic images are the backbone of the fashion industry. The world a photographer can create with setting, lighting, models, and beautiful clothing - it is everything! More dramatic than a runway, an editorial or advertising image puts these fashion items in real life... and let's us dream. or fantasize.. about our own life, how we want to look, who we want to be... It sounds dramatic - because it IS. Images from the Fall / Winter campaign for world renowned shopping center - Americana Manhasset were just released.. and they are DREAMY. Shot on site in the High-French Alps of Chamonix (the site of the very first Winter Olympics in 1924), there is no better locale to showcase luxury fashion than this Winter playground of the rich and famous. Salvatore Ferragamo's Donna & Uomo collections are right at home. Truly a highlight of this campaign that includes the finest collections in the world from Dior, to Chanel, to Hermes. All the luxury players are here.. and Ferragamo is center stage. Now.. where are my skis?