MARCH ON TREND SETTERS!

HARPER'S BAZAAR KEY LOOKS FOR SPRING 2014 - SALVATORE FERRAGAMO LEADS THE WAY WITH LOOK 33 - A LAYERED SILK SATIN AND CHIFFON DRESS - $3,360.00 - COMMERCIAL VERSION AVAILABLE $1,370.00Three months into 2014 and there is a clear fashion trend setting the tone for what's to come in the next few seasons.   LUXURY IS IN.  

With the U.S. economy continuing to improve - slowly, but steadily - month after month, ultra-luxe fashion has never been more celebrated or coveted.   Luxury real estate also - BOOMING.  From New York to San Francisco, records are being broken every month.  ( The highest price ever paid for an apartment downtown in NYC just hit a new record - 50 Million dollars!  The penthouse of the new Walker Tower in Chelsea.  It's worth noting the building does not have a garage - but not to worry - there is a second penthouse available for 47.5 Million... because what luxury building only has one penthouse silly?).  It's a tale of two cities for sure these days - the poor are poorer - but the rich are RICHER, and the rich are spending like never before... or least not since before the recession.

However, with a global economy that is less than stellar, the United States is an oasis for the rich and famous.  Just as it has been so many times over the last century, the American Market is the place to invest.  The place to invest time and money for the wealthiest people on earth, as this crowd is coming to vacation, to buy a second (or third) home, to educate their children, and to SHOP SHOP SHOP.  

Fortunately, Salvatore Ferragamo is on the short list for international buyers seeking luxury items, as it is one of the most developed luxury brands in the world.  In the boutiques that spread across the country - a consistent message created by Massimiliano Giornetti in Florence is brought to life every day.  The woman who wears Salvatore Ferragamo has many faces, and many tastes - all elegant, and all sophisticated.  This woman appreciates the finest leather goods, clothing, and shoes that money can buy.  Be confident to suggest the most expensive items you have to offer. WSJ MAGAZINE - "WAIT UNTIL DARK" featuring SALVATORE FERRAGAMO CLOTHING, ALEXANDER WANG TOP, AND BALENCIAGO PUMPS - PH: Gregory Harris Women are spending like it's 2007 and thankfully the Ferragamo collection has never had more relevant, collectible looks than now in 2014. 

A collection as broad as Ferragamo benefits greatly from the variety of styles is can offer every season, with every collection - pre, main, and runway.   Each delivery gives you another opportunity to capture the trend of the season - ore more likely 2, 3, or 4 trends that make the season.  This season the spectrum swings from tailored menswear to feminine, pretty, pleats - with the bags and shoes to match - all under the umbrella of Spring 2014.

OFF THE SHELVES - BOWS AND WHISTLES NOT OBLIGATORY

Harper's Bazaar made the message loud and clear this month - Ferragamo was one of the fashion houses that helped shape the hottest looks for Spring 2014.  Massimiliano is intent on creating luxurious fashion that is beautiful.  Ferragamo doesn't focus on gimmicks or logos to flatter the house, but on flattering her - the Ferragamo woman.   Like his contemporaries -Jil Sander, Phoebe Philo at Celine, Alexander Wang, & Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta - Massimiliano Giornetti is appealing to that woman who loves fashion, but is not a fashion victim.  Luxury leathers, fine tailoring, and modern design - that is what the sophisticated shopper is looking for in 2014.   The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Magazine hit the nail on the head with the smoldering editorial "Wait Until Dark: After Hours Clothing".  The sexy spread shot by photographer Gregory Harris has strong clothes with simple lines.  Classic, but not cautious.   

The Spring clothing collection created the neutral palette for incredible, ultra-luxe accessories that whipped editors, bloggers, and socialites into a frenzy! FOLDED PYTHON TOTE / CLUTCH - ROSE QUARTZ - $4,700.00 (ALSO AVAILABLE IN HAYERS).SALVATORE FERRAGAMO PYTHON "PAKIRA" SANDAL BOOTS - $2,250.00 - (PRODUCTION WITH BUCKLE AND STUDS)

Hand painted python in shades of rose quartz and oxford blue made a statement in handbags, shoes, and clothing.  The ultra-luxe accessories got instant attention from fashion press across the globe.PYTHON STRUCTURED TOP HANDLE IT BAG - ROSE QUARTZ - $5,800.00 - **LSS THAN 24 AVAILABLE IN PYTHON AND HAYERS NATIONWIDE**   W magazine called the python shoe bootie one of the shoes of the Spring 2014 season!  STRUCTURED, ROSE QUARTZ PYTHON SHOULDER BAG - SOMBER, SMOLDERING, AND SEXY - $4,000.00Even on the runway - there were options.  Structured bags both small and large an relaxed, soft shapes across the board as well.  Shoes were tall and short - but TOES remain front and center.  Hammer-toes be damned (or corrected). True to the DNA of the brand, Massimiliano draws attention to the feet - just as Salvatore did!  After all, it was sandals that drew much of the original attention of HOLLYWOOD to Ferragamo and the Hollywood Boot Shop in L.A. almost 100 years ago. (Toes were quite provocative then...actually for many..they still are).

FERRAGAMO TIME - A LEGACY OF LUXURY

As a perfect example of the increased attention to luxury and the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" (paging Robin Leach), the Salvatore Ferragamo sponsored Mid-Winter Gala in San Francisco has garnered more nationwide press than ever before.  This year Vanity Fair, W, Vogue, WWD, and blogs from coast to coast covered the event.  Ferragamo wore a prestigious crown as sponsor of this yearly right of passage for the serious socialites of San Francisco society. MID-WINTER GALA CO-CHAIRS TREVOR TRAINA AND VANESSA GETTY - BOTH WEAR SALVATORE FERRAGAMO KATIE TRAINA WEARS SALVATORE FERRAGAMOThe gala benefits the SF Museum of Fine Arts and attracts the rich, the famous, and the culturally connected jet set that call this beautiful city by the bay "home" (at least part of the year).   In many ways San Fran is one of the most romantic cities there is.   CAMILLA BELLE, LAUREN REMINGTON PLATT, CLAIBORNE SWANSON FRANK, AND LILY KWONG - ALL WEAR SALVATORE FERRAGAMOFew towns have such a vibrant community of patrons of the arts. There's the symphony, the opera, and the city itself is physically beautiful- with architectural gems that would impress even the most jaded world traveller.  Every cause has a yearly gala, and every gala has gown after gown after gown straight from the runways of Milan and Paris.  Adding to the prestige of sponsoring such an event in a town where fashion is taken so seriously!  What a special night and yet another special event for the house of Salvatore Ferragamo! 

Make sure you are utilizing these spectacular parties and VIP press events to help you when you are selling any shoe, handbag, ready-to-wear, Sunglass or even fragrance.   Print the press shots you find in magazines of socialites wearing Ferragamo and share the news with the ladies you work with.   Not all fashion houses have such prestigious affiliations - in fact - most don't.   Be proud of the amazing legacy you represent!