JUNE 2014 - FIAMMA FROM HAND TO TOE!

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO MINAUDIERE - AS SEEN IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MAGAZINEIN THE PRESS

Another month, and Ferragamo has a staring role in another stunning still life in The Wall Street Journal Magazine.  The theme this month? ESCAPE PLANS : The Perfect Valise - how to pack the perfect bag for the fabulous getaway calling your name.  Photographer Adrian Gaut captured powerful shots, styled by Jojo Li for editor David Thielebeule - creating the sexiest weekend bag  you've ever seen.   Gucci, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan giving that chic traveler more choices than a weekend could call for!  A Ferragamo Minaudiere has become a category of it's own.  As a pillar in a fashionable wardrobe, minaudieres were designed as evening accessories - but in the last 10 years, these little gems have been seen more and more during the day.  

OFF THE SHELVES

FERRAGAMO FIAMMA - OPENING THE ILATEST SSUE IN HARPER'S BAZAARWhat's the perfect companion to the hottest new handbag in fashion? FIAMMA FLAT - WITH NEW GANCIO AND CHAINED HEEL - $595.00 The matching shoe created for it of course!   FIAMMA PYTHON WEDGE - CHAINED HEEL - $975.00The Fiamma handbag collection has been a welcomed shock to the system for the accessory world!  The reaction of the fashion press is a clear indicator that the Fiamma handbag is a hit!  With 5 sizes and multiple shapes, and a selection of skins, the bag is versatile and appeals to a host of women - of all ages.FIAMMA SUEDE ANKLE BOOT - NEW GANCIO DETAIL AND CHAINED HEEL - $1,090.00

FIAMMA, the SHOE collection is the shoe equivalent!  With multiple heel heights, shapes, and skins, this shoe is an excellent match for all the bags.   Ladies of all ages, and styles can find a Fiamma shoe that fits them - to a t!  Deep, rich colors complement so many fashion looks coming for Fall 2014.   *There are many vibrant prints offered from designers like Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and more.. all of which can be complemented by the Fiamma collection.   The light chain detail that runs along the bottom of the heels or soles adds that extra designer touch.  Luxurious - inside and out.  With a new interpretation of the iconic gancio throughout the group - these are ones to collect. 

Harper's Bazaar is celebrating the Fiamma Handbag in all it's beautiful animations.   The hundreds of calfskin leather folds in the Fiamma Fringe bag is a great example of a true luxury good.  When details exist for the look, serving no useful purpose - that is a true luxury detail. FIAMMA KARUNG & CALFSKIN HANDBAG TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THE HARPER'S BAZAAR JUNE ISSUE

FASHION FACT

Valentino or Valentino Garavani?   With the success of the "Rock Stud" collection, no doubt you have noticed fashion credits for Valentino accessories listed with Garavani attached.   Valentino clothing does not.   What's the reason?  A legal agreement made decades ago.   Garavani is in fact Valentino's last name.   When the designer launched his RTW collection, from the start he used only his first name - Valentino.   However, there was already a leather accesorry collection by another italian designer of the same name.   Garavani made an agreement with the other Valentino that he would sell his handbags and shoes under his full name - Valentino Garavani.    Now you know. 

It's interesting to note that the Valentino handbags and shoes are the most successful that they have ever been.  Sales of the Rock Stud series has taken the collection to another level in terms of a resource for the luxury department stores, and it has no doubt helped the brand expand overall.  Shot by the infamous photog - Terry Richardson, the shots are sexy, and edgy - but I can't help but notice a complete disconnect from the runway.   There is little to no synergy at all between the ad campaign for the accessories and the ready-to-wear runway.   You can say there are sometimes different campaign concepts for large fashion houses, but it is a missed opportunity for ready-to-wear.   Where are all the sexy little dresses, coats, etc that could be kissed with rock studs?   It seems that Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are avoiding the studs.    That confuses customers. PRETTY RUNWAY DRESSES AT VALENTINO F14 - NOT A ROCK STUD IN SIGHT  While the house has been desperately trying to bring in younger customers for decades, it's too bad they aren't showcasing a consistent message from head-to-toe.   That would truly strengthen the brand.   When you can walk from one department to another with a client and build an ensemble - that creates a powerful dynamic for the fashion experience - and for sales!

Add to the confusion that Mr. Valentino sold the company himself several years ago, but won't leave the house! (so to speak).  Season after season, Mr. V attends major fashion events during the season overshadowing Valentino, the company.    Last year at the Oscars there was a dust-up when Valentino (the man) tried to dress Anne Hathaway in a "vintage" dress which is his loop-hole for still being involved.   The problem was, the dress didn't really exist and my sources tell me he asked Valentino (the house) to remake the dress.   However, brand already had their own Oscar plans - AWKWARD.   In addition, Valentino (the man) threw a party the night before the Valentino Runway Show.   Upstaging the event.  Even Anna Wintour was challenged with how to handle that one....Talk about confusing.   

KARL LAGERFELD - PROLIFIC TO SAY THE LEASTFinally, while we are on the subject of head scratching.  It was just announced that Karl Lagerfeld will be participating in a design event for .... LVMH.  Seriously?   Karl already has his name of products you can wear, drink, write with, you name it.   LV will have a series of designers re-invent the Logo for a travel concept celebrating the 160 anniversary of Louis Vuitton.    

Here we have another case of the man vs. the collection.  KARL LAGERFELD TIMEPIECE - PART SWATCH, PART ROCK STUD, PART KID ROBOT Karl Lagerfeld has become a celebrity like few other designers have ever done.  (Interesting to note he and Valentino are almost the same age - 83-ish).   His personal image has become the signature look for his namesake brand.  In fact, Karl is more Rock Stud than Valentino.  

While they say no press is bad press, I don't think it does CHANEL any favors to have Karl designing anything for LVMH.   You would think with all the brands that company owns it could tap it's own talent, without inviting Mr. Lagerfeld to join the party.  To be clear, it is a prestigious invitation, as LV has tapped famed architects and artists to participate in the project.  But I can only imagine there was no party atmosphere over at Chanel headquarters on Rue Cambon when they read this one!  Mon Dieu!

I think Karl is becoming the Joan Rivers of the fashion world.   Joan's motto is "say yes to everything".

**The clear message across the Salvatore Ferragamo runway, ad campaigns, boutiques, and press placements -should be your focus as you work the collection.    That synergy between categories creates brand loyalty!   Now let's sell some fashion in June!!