Modern Art - Walking

Anything but "Lazy" days of Summer - Vogue August 2015 - PH: Steven Klein - RTW -Calvin Klein - Handbag - Salvatore FerragamoAs we all enjoy the second half of Summer - the fashion crowd begins to receive those oversized volumes of glossy pages that are hitting mailboxes with a THUMP. a past September issue of Vogue - the largest issue of the year. I can't escape talking about the blending of the fashion world and interior design - as the line gets fuzzier by the week. a recent RESTORATION HARDWARE catalog - or doorstop?   Home furnishing giant Restoration Hardware seems to have copied Vogue's model of putting mailers on steroids and trumping any other home retailer with the largest volumes you have ever seen. Abstract perfection - Sonia Delaunay   It quite literally has become something you can't avoid - even if you try.   Some said the same about Vogue a few years back, and now many fashion magazine September issues double as an edition of the Yellow pages from the 80's.   While many criticize any magazine or catalog of that size, it's a Kardashian move (using them as an adverb) in an effort to get the most eyes on what you are selling. 

It makes perfect sense that fashion designers have looked to home and interior designs to inspire them.  After all, fashion is the first art form that reflects what's happening -now.   While painters, architects, and film directors can take years to create new projects, a fashion designer has to create - TODAY.   To feel the pulse of a culture or nation - look to it's fashion designers.   That's where the real news is.  a swimsuit designed by Sonia Delaunay - 1920's It's clear that all things interior design are on trend.

For Fall 2015, Massimiliano crafted a fashion message that was so many things at once.  Colorful but conservative.  Avant-Garde yet classic.  It's a study of contradictions that comes together so well, you can't help being drawn into this world of luxury goods that oozes exclusivity.   Arguably one of the sexiest collections we've seen from this talented designer, the irony is not wasted as we take note of long sleeves and high collars.   There are also slip dresses - another huge trend for Fall - but there is an innocence to their sexiness.  These clothes, shoes, and handbags are smart - making you think just enough about the details - but still not overpowering the wearer.   Giornetti is a master at preserving the Salvatore Ferragamo credo - creating luxury goods that flatter her, but never upstage her.   There is no logo lunacy here, and that continues to preserve a base of the chicest clients who are clearly avoiding the initial plastered items at our competitors these days.  *Take a moment to flip through the runway show again.  Look at the colors and the way they complement and contradict each other.

What a great opportunity.  Think of the hundreds of woman that shop in your store that LOVE to talk about interior design and decorating.  This is a way to connect to those shoppers on another level, which makes them look at Ferragamo with fresh eyes.  Anytime you can make someone think differently, that's an amazing achievement in a world of sensory overload.  SONIA DELAUNAY COAT CREATED FOR GLORIA SWANSON - 1923 That's a reason for her to remember your conversation, your customer service, and the collection - and dream we are selling.

One of the most exciting aspects to a luxury house like Salvatore Ferragamo is the ability to create luxury items in ALL categories.  We can just about count on one hand the number of houses that has as many departments and categories as Ferragamo.   It's a very short list with the likes of Hermes, Dior, Chanel, and few others.  While there are dozens of designer brands, a true measure of a "luxury house" is if they create items like Silk screened scarves, fine jewelry, beach towels, and of course RTW.   This extent of detail becomes so important and evident when you see a collection like Fall 2015.   Massimiliano was inspired by French artist Sonia Delaunay.   Deluanay was born in Russia, but became famous in France.  She and her husband worked together to create striking modern works that took the art, fashion, and film world by storm.  Delaunay would create fashion items for Hollywood royalty like Gloria Swanson.   Her color blocked coat created for Swanson has inspired artists and designers for decades.  She created a movement of art based around geometric shapes and bold colors.  For his Fall collections Massimiliano created shoes, handbags, and RTW inspired by Delaunay.   Stunning shoes that are sure to be collected as vintage items in 20 years! CAUGHT IN A SUMMER MAZE - BUT LOOKING PERFECT IN PROENZA SCHOULER RTW AND SALVATORE FERRAGAMO EXOTIC HANDBAG - VOGUE AUGUST 2015 PH: STEVEN KLEIN  The color block details are striking, but subtle enough to become a Fall neutral.

In RTW, the inspiration is front and Center.   Looking at Delaunay's coat from the 1920's - it's hard not to see the reference.   Take notice of the fact that these are not copies - but truly inspired designs.   An homage, but not a direct copy of an old style.   That's luxury fashion at it's best - a new style inspired by a legendary piece.

In the heat of the Summer, Vogue assigned legendary fashion photographer Steven Klein to photograph "day looks" for the rich and famous.   Shot in a spectacular estate, these looks would be chic any time of the day - or year for the matter.   Ferragamo's bucket shape runway handbag in Alligator steals the show in one full page portrait.   Sharing the pages with Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta, Proenza Schouler, and Loewe, Salvatore Ferragamo's bucket bag is sophisticated and a true statement.   While the bag is a cross between a bucket and a basket - there are several great bucket bag options in store to show every client that might enquire about this bag.   That's the best way to utilize fantasy editorial.   These dreamy photographs are created to romance clients about a brand, drawing them to the boutique, so they have an opportunity to see the collection that is more practical - but every bit as luxurious. The styles clients see in magazines might not be produced, but there are so many other options inspired by these looks that wil be in store. 

Many of your clients might be enjoying the Summer now, but when they are ready to shop - you are SO ready with some amazing fashion from pre-to runway collections.   Start making that mental list of who needs what!