APRIL 2014 PART II - "FASHION" IN FULL FOCUS

The WSJ magazine created still life photos for the April edition entitled "Tableau Vivant" - a nod to the eclectic combinations seen in the photos, but also a nod to the wild assortment of seasonal trends this Spring ... among them a Celine Cuff -$820.00, Alexander McQueen Skull clutch -$2,395.00, a Dries Van Noten leather necklace -$185.00, a Lanvin Green Leather clutch -$1,385.00, and a Salvatore Ferragamo Resin Minaudiere - $1,650.00- Just dreamy! Photography by Alice Gao, Styling by Jocelyne BeaudoinOFF THE SHELVES

It's only April, but the Fashion world has had enough major developments to fill 12 months worth of press releases!  What's the big takeaway so far?   Following in the footsteps of Salvatore Ferragamo, other major fashion houses continue to invest in RTW!  Let's take a look at two collections that are relevant to the Ferragamo shopper.

TOD'S -This Italian house of leather accessories -(formerly JP TOD'S) has put their fashion direction front and center over the last year.   In February of 2013 owner and chairmen Diego Della Valle named Alessandra Facchinetti creative director of the brand. TOD'S D-CUBE - MICRO BOWLER BAG - $1,375.00 **COLORBLOCK** With previous gigs at Valentino and Gucci, there was no doubt that a big fashion statement was soon to been seen from Facchinetti at TOD'S.   In september, she staged the first fashion show the house had ever seen.  (The company built an empire creating private label shoesLUXURIOUS LEATHER FROM HEAD TO TOE AT TOD'S for American department stores for decades before Della Valle launched a signature collection - the company also owns Hogan and Roger Vivier). BOLD RETRO PRINT IN A SOPHISTICATED PALETTE AT TOD'S This inaugural show was celebrated for it's use of leather, a natural strong point for a house known for "Made in Italy" accessories.PALLADIO ORB HARDWARE ADORN THIS COLORBLOCKED TOP HANDLE CALFSKIN BAG AT SALVATORE FERRAGAMO $1,650.00   In February, it was round two with another strong runway collection - heavily focussed on leather pieces again, from tunics to skirts, and some noteworthy outerwear.   The season also saw the release of the D-Micro Bowler Bag - hitting on the color block trend of the last two seasons.  

LOUIS VUITTON - I don't often write "good" news about the house of LV.  Two reasons.  1) - the house is owned by Bernard Arnault, the man personally resposible forSTRUCTURED COLORBLOCKING FROM NICOLAS GHESQUIRE AT LOUISE VUITTON making the world of luxury fashion all about profit margin and ROI (not creativity and refinement), and 2) Marc Jacobs was creative director of the house and I resent the fact that his own global LOUIS VUITTON "TRUNK BAG" BY NICOLAS GHESQUIREbrand turned plastic junk made in China a normal occurance in major fashion collections. MINI "TRUNK CHARMS" AT LOUIS VUITTON  Well, a new day has dawned at this French house of the original logo bag!   Jacobs is out (said to be pushed by Arnault himself) and Nicholas Ghesquiere is in.   Ghesquiere was previously creative director of Balenciaga and his loyal following include fashion icons like Catherine Deneuve (Google her right now if you don't know who she is) and Hollywood A names like Jennifer Connelly.   This is a major statement by Bernard Arnault - naming a designer known for his RTW - not bags - as the creative director of Louis Vuitton.   During Marc Jacobs tenure, few women even looked at the LV RTW.

MAJOR RTW FOCUS TO BE SEEN AT LV!LEATHER & TWEED AT LOUIS VUITTON 

Get ready for red carpet attention from the house that trunks built! READY-TO-WEAR REBOOT BY NICOLAS GHESQURE AT LOUIS VUITTON  Speaking of, Ghesquiere paid homage to the legacy of this storied empire by creating gorgous mini-trunk handbags forLV LOGO BOOTIE - REBIRTH OF THE SHOE-BOOT! the runway and even smaller little "Trunk Charms" worn as necklaces as well!   the LV monogram was front and center.. but Ghesquiere has the class and craft to make it look seemless and appropriate.  

How is this relevant to associates at Salvatore Ferragamo?  Any time that another major fashion house puts focus on their ready-to-wear it causes a ripple in the designer shoppers awareness.   The more they hear about designer RTW, the more likely they are to look at it and potentially buy it from Ferragamo.   Additonally, strong runway shows from any major house puts focus on strong handbags and shoes.   Salavtore Ferragamo benefits here because the house has more sku's on the floor than many brands combined.    An investment in luxury is a win-win for Ferragamo!

LEGACY OF LUXURY

 ASPREY of London - MINI 1781 CROCODILE HANGBAG - PRICED ABOUT $22,000.00A designer handbag made in Italy or France can mean many things to different women.  A status symbol, a comfort, a utility, an expression of vanity, of pride, it goes on and on.   When the finest raw materials are crafted by artisans in a timeless tradition - it is one of the purest expressions of luxury.    PRADA - SPRING 2014 MINI STRUCTURED ALLIGATOR BAGThe less practical or useful, the more luxurious the bag becomes.   The biggest news is luxury bags?  Once again, the mini.   Miniature bags are a true status symbol.  Often, they are more expensive than original sizes, as it is difficult to craft the smaller proportions is a luxury manner.  Becoming jewel-like, often highly structured - women around the world covet this little gems.   Salvatore Ferragamo hasSALVATORE FERRAGAMO MINI SOFIA IN KARUNG - $2,650.00 led this latest mini trend with the spectacular mini-Sofia bags which dazzling hardware that were a holiday highlight in 2012 and remain a strong statement in Spring 2014.   Every client should own at least one!  If you think these mini bags are spectacular -wait until you see what coming next month!  (Get ready for some major wow factor).

FERRAGAMO TIME

HARPER'S BAZAAR SHOWS US THAT LIFE IS A BEACH WITH SALVATORE FERRAGAMO - THIS TWO PIECE ENSEMBLE MADE A STRONG STATEMENT ON THE RUNWAY - BUT LOOKS JUST AS SEXY IN THE SAND (PRESS ONLY)As more and more magazines frequently feature Salvatore Ferragamo RTW, we can see a comfort level has developed.   Editors now knowTWO PIECE EVENING DAZZLER ON THE RUNWAY SPRING 2014 Massimiliano Giornetti's style and sensibility.  We also see the stylist feeling more comfortable to incorporate Ferragamo in fashion forward spreads.  It is a clear indication that a brand is relevant when editors showcase items not exactly as it is seen on the runway, but in the editors vision of how designer RTW matters most and how it should (could) be worn.   The latest issues of Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and the NY Times Magazine all feature major runway looks from Ferragamo - all showcased in a totally different look , with very different girls.  This Spring season is so interesting because there are two very different trends happening side by side.  On the one hand there SALVATORE FERRAGAMO TRENCH COAT (EXIT 15 -$3,300.00) IN THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE. THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER AN ENSEMBLE - BE READY FOR THIS LOOK! is a strong minimalist vibe happening with simple shapes in beiges, blacks, and tans - at the same moment that maximum color and print are all over - the brighter the better.  Ultimately, given women more opportunities to find their own look.

The New York Times Magazine story "A Little to the Imagination" set out to show the masculine / feminine trend that is also a big part of Spring.  I'm not sure if this look does that, but it does show us an ensemble I would'nt have thought of.  (Actually when I was a kid, my pediatrician dressed just like this. SALATORE FERAGAMO WOOL JACKET AND PANT, OVER PYHON BRA TOP of EXIT 14 -$1,850.00 My brother and I called her a "crunchy granola". RETRO SANDAL WITH PALLADIO ORB HARDWARE - $575.00 Who knew she was ahead of her time).   If the clients style leads you there, don't hesitate to suggest a great sandal with a tailored runway look.

At ELLE Magazine, the story "Box Seat" set out to showcase the minimalist trend, while maintaining a sexy sensability with bandau tops - also so on trend.  Ferragamo hit those looks spot on!

As a brand, Salvatore Ferragamo somehow represents most of these trends - in fact, setting some.  Another sign of Ferragamo's relevance in the Fashion scene  of 2014.   The house that Salvatore built is everywhere a brand wants to be!