LUXE ACCESSORIES WARM UP WINTER - FEBRUARY 2014

W MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ACCESSORIES THAT STAND OUT - WORN WITH UNDERSTATED READY-TO-WEAR THAT DOESN'T DISAPPEAR - HERMES BELT, PROENZA SCHOULER CLUTCH, CELINE SHOES AND SALVATORE FERRAGAMO KNIT TOP & TROUSERS- PHOTO: JOHN SCARISBRICK

OFF THE SHELVES

If you are reading this in a state that has been baragged by the Winter of 2014 - I feel your pain.  If you are reading this from a state that is basking in the Sunny weather - wipe that smirk off your face!  Just kidding - smile from ear to ear and enjoy it.  Actually, rain or shine - snow or sandstorm - the Ferragamo Spring 2014 collection has luxe accessories as varied as the weather to dazzle any shopper looking for a port in the storm, or some shade from the sun.RUNWAY KNITWEAR FEATURED ON WWW.TRUNKSHOW.FERRAGAMO.COM - $830.00 - THE PERFECT LAYERING PIECE WORN UNDER ANY COLOR

With all the neutral clothing looks taking center stage this year, it's never been a better time to wear BIG, BRIGHT  handbags and shoes!  A monochromatic Palette popped with two and three toned bags and shoes is a fashion statement to make this year. PATENT PUMPS WITH BUTTON DETAIL - RETRO CHIC - $550.00  These accessories help tie together so many different looks.  The MOD details that have been weaving through Massimiliano's runway collections over the last 3 years can connect the dots.   A navy miniskirt, a beige tunic, or cigarette pant in Black or Sand - they all set the stage.DEFINITELY NOT "ANOTHER BLACK BAG" - STRUCTURED CALFSKIN WITH PALLADIO ORB HARDWARE AND ADJUSTABLE STRAP - $1,390.00

Speaking of understated luxury - let's look at knitwear.  Italian knitwear is a classic category that stands alone in terms of luxurious construction and high perceived value.  Shoppers expect Italian knitwear to to pricey, making a touch of novelty key to closing the sale.TRI-COLOR CALFSKIN -RETRO CHIC STRUCTURE - $1,390.00  Spring 2014 Runway featured a knitwear top that has a strapless bra illusion that makes the perfect underpinning or sexy stand alone.   W Magazine chose it to do just that - a full page of fashion with the Ferragamo beige tunic and black pants - making a clean slate for amazing accessories.RETRO PUMPS WITH PALLADIO ORNAMENT AND OPEN TOE - $550.00

The Mod details in the boutique now are a great opportunity to convince that chic shopper that still insists on matching.  While some women won't be deterred from making bags and shoes a match-set ( two sales are better than none!) - take an opportunity to show them to match hardware - not color - to feel appropriate yet look much more modern.   With a chunky heal and patent leather color - these pumps are SO appealing - worn back to a black structured bag with the same silver hardware - fantastic!  THE REVERSE -  A two or three toned structured bag worn back to black open toe pumps with those little silver bumps - Modern and Retro at the same time.  Nothing makes a woman more confident in mixing colors than when her bag is already mixing it up!   There is a 60's / futuristic aspect to these styles that can fit perfectly in just about ever women's wardrobe.  

** The black skirt in Pre-Collection (Style #13D546-571-082-$700.00) features the Palladio Orb detail is barely noticeable on the hanger - but oh so sexy on the body **

LEGACY OF LUXURY

The most luxurious and fashion relevant houses in the industry inspire shoppers, fashion editors, and of course other designers.  Nothing affirms a brands relevance more than when it influences the fashion press.   We've compared the Ferragamo ad campaign to magazine editorials in the past to show clear inspiration.  This month W Magazine goes one step further.  SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RUNWAY FASHION CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE THE ENTIRE FASHION INDUSTRY - QUARTZ PYTHON BOOT SANDALS - $3,300.00In the editors notes near the back of the magazine it lays out what inspired key fashion spreads in the new issue.   The python boot sandals that stole the show on the Spring 2014 Runway is a key inspiration!  Luxe python in quartz dazzles and stopped shoppers in their tracks at trunk shows in San Francisco, Costa Mesa, & Bal Harbour.   Python boots are becoming something of a Signature look in the Salvatore Ferragamo collection.  As Massimiliano Giornetti keeps building his legacy, recognizing the new key Ferragamo looks is essential for the most fashionable shoppers.  Be sure to point out these styles as you forecast the future must-haves!

FERRAGAMO TIME

Trunk shows are a seasonal ritual attended by affluent women who are privileged to preview the latest fashion collections before the items are available to the public.  In the 1950's, luxury department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks 5th Avenue hosted formal presentations to an invite only crowd of the latest designer merchandise that would be soon arriving from Italy and France.  While most European designers were being introduced to America via the department stores, Salvatore Ferragamo opened his own fashion boutique on Park Avenue in 1948.  This was decades before many other European Fashion brands opened a boutique in NYC, or anwhere in America for that matter.WWW.TRUNSHOW.FERRAGAMO.COM HOME PAGE - CLICKING AND STYLING WERE NEVER SO EASY!

Today the term "Trunk Show" is thrown around as commonly as "Luxury" or "Couture".   In fact, a trunk show at a Salvatore Ferragamo Boutique is an exclusive opportunity for shoppers to touch and feel next seasons' fashion - today.  Unlike most designer brands, Ferragamo RTW is ONLY available at Salvatore Ferragamo Boutiques.   This is empowering for every associate that is selling a truly limited product in a marketplace with hundreds of options.   Ferragamo boutiques offer something that no Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue, or Bergdorf Goodman can offer.   Take your cues from those luxury stores that use the Trunk Show invitation as an extra opportunity to introduce any item in the entire store. WHO CAN RESIST THE ALLURE OF DIGITAL PAPER DOLLS?  Clients that visit the boutique during a trunk show are likely to - A) fall in love with a new style that has just arrived, -B) decide to buy that shoe, handbag, or jacket they have had their eye on, and hopefully C) Reserve a new style from the Trunk Show Collection.THE DREAM BEGINS AS CLOSE AS YOUR NEAREST SMART PHONE!  Look at the Trunk Show as an organic opportunity to invite clients to the boutique.   Do you work in a boutique that does not carry RTW, or doesn't yet host trunk shows?  Then invite your most fashionable client in to go over the collection brochure with you, talk about trends of the season, hear her favorite designers this season, and show your knowledge as a true professional. 

Ferragamo has taken the Trunk Show into the 21st Century by creating a dedicated web address to the Spring 2014 collection.   www.Trunkshow.Ferragamo.com features the entire Runway Collection available in U.S. stores.   This incredible tool not only gives you access to a 360 degree view of the runway looks, there is also a paper-dolls styling tool to create your own looks.  Who doesn't like paper dolls?  It doesn't matter if you grew up with Barbies or Bratz - no one is immune!  Tell everyone you can about the website, and I guarantee you will see more traffic in your store.   Even the best web destination sends shoppers running to touch, feel, and ask about what they see on-line.  Are you ready for Spring 2014?  I know I am!