THE RUNWAY "MARCH" OF 2016

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW AT FERRAGAMO!! - FALL 2016STRIPES TAKE ON A NEW SHAPE FOR FALLPIECES TAKING COLOR HEAD TO TOE FOR FALL 2016 

FALL RUNWAY

If you work and live in the fashion world as most of us do, then March is such a funny time of year.  Just as the Winter is fading away and Spring in springing - we focus our attention to the next Fall Collection!   The irony is never wasted on me, and I think that's one of the reasons this crazy world of fashion attracts a special type of person.   Those in the fashion world are never happy with the status quo and are always looking ahead to something bigger, brighter, and just out of reach.   Dreamers.  We are dreamers, and who better to serve the most demanding consumers in the world?  Clients that see everything need us to offer our special way of looking at the world - and more specifically - looking at her!MORE IS MORE AT GUCCI - FALL 2016  Recogize her beauty, her style, and find what would make her look her best.

The Fall collections shown in NY, Milan, and Paris were all over the place in terms of looks - but a few strong trends came through.  ICONIC LOOKS AT CHANEL - FALL 2016Massimiliano helped solidify the "more is more" look when it comes to colors and prints at Salvatore Ferragamo!  LOUIS VUITTON HAD A SPORTY LIFESTYLE IN MIND - FALL 2016 His rainbow runway was the talk of Milan, and even after the Paris shows, his kaleidoscope of color and texture was on the minds and lips of editors, stylists, and the fashionistas within viewing distance of a live-stream.   With Alessandro Michele reinvigorating Gucci, and Nicolas Ghesquire making Louis Vuitton look like a 2.0 version, it is an exciting moment in Ready-to-Wear.  That's not even mentioning the face that someone will take over at Lanvin, Chloe is about to have a shakeup, and Peter Copping (formerly of Nina Ricci) is finally giving 7th Avenue another reason to watch as he reinvents Oscar de la Renta.  GUCCI FALL 2015 SLIDES WITH FUR LINING - *THE SHOE THAT CAUSED A SENSATION*

It's no secret that Gucci had really been in a rut under the guidance of Frida Giannini.  Editors have been extremely enthusiastic about Michele's bohemian approach from the start.  He is definitely not subtle.  His overflowing fur sandals got an amazing amount of press.  (not exactly my idea of refined luxury - but it worked!).    Ghesquire at Louis Vuitton has changed everything.  A MUTED PALETTE WITH SOPHISTICATED SILHOUETTES AT VALENTINO - FALL 2016 I must admit, it has changed the way I look at LV.  (Not the way I look at Bernard Arnault mind you, but at the collection).   The level of sophistication has sky-rocketed under Nicolas creative direction.  What's even more exciting? - The fact that Ferragamo is on that short list of shows to watch each season!

Remember, runway looks are meant to set a mood, and tell a story.  Regardless if any women ever wears a head-to-toe look from the runway, the most fashionable women in the world see those looks and remember Ferragamo when they are dreaming up their next "special look", bag of the season, and sexy heels.

**There are directional trends that change the collection season to season, but the legacy of Salvatore Ferragamo is making a woman look and feel her best**

ROONEY MARA STRIKES A POSE IN FERRAGAMO SPRING RUNWAY FOR ELLE MAGAZINEA-LIST EDITORIAL

Month after month, the most relevant Hollywood Actresses are seen wearing Ferragamo runway.  Case in point - Elle Magazine from December, and Hollywood heavyweight  Rooney Mara.  SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RUNWAY EXIT - OFF THE SHOULDER COLOR BLOCKING SPRING 2016 Rooney rose to international fame with her role in the American remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.   Her ability to look captivating in androgynous looks or beautifully feminine in others is part of her intrigue.   Elle magazine made her the cover story over the Holidays in promotion of her portrayal of Therese alongside Kate Blanchett as the title role in Carol.  Both received academy award nominations for the their performances.   Mara wore Exit 9 from the Spring runway collection.  The off-the-shoulder color blocked dress made a strong statement on the runway, and an even stronger look in print in Elle. Exit 9 is a wonderful example of what a runway look should do.  Make a statement.   While the dress is not easy to wear for most women (it was not produced for the U.S.) - it looked fantastic on that runway model, and on that actress - That is the power of runway, and why it is so important that Ferragamo runway shows have become pivotal to the season in Milan. 

TREND ALERT

SPRING TREND - BOWS & TIES - SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RECOGNIZED FOR SETTING THE TRENDSALVATORE FERRAGAMO SPRING 2016 - KNIT AND SILK BOWS & TIES -SRPING 2016 - *PONCHO AVAILABLE*When a fashion house is on a trend with a signature look - that's powerful.  When a house hits a trend with a detail that is a pillar to brand legacy - JACKPOT!  Bows have been showing up for several seasons all over the runways.  Ferragamo has owned the bow legacy for decades with the Vara.  Of course the house of Valentino has been the most blatant in terms of "emulating" the look.  For Spring 2016 however, many designers put bows on the runway.   Massimiliano took the idea to the next level and left them untied - most deliberately.  It gave a sense of carefree elegance and made bows that can be "sweet" positively sexy.

BIGGER THAN ANY TREND - Many designers are always watching the market and are sure to follow the trends they hear are coming, or they see getting attention for other brands.  SIGNORINA FRAGRANCE WITH BOW DETAILCreative Directors at larger luxury houses like Massimiliano, and edgy, independent young designers are more excited to set the trends they deem important.   This helps a brand with actual sales - no doubt.  SNAKESKIN PUMPS WITH BOW DETAIL - $875.00 What is even bigger than a trend is the good will and image the fashion brand builds over time.  This kind of emotional response customers feel about a collection builds loyalty and long term purchasing.   One true test of how excited the fashion flock is about a brand is to search hashtags on Instagram. MARIE CLAIRE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES FERRAGAMO FALL 2016 ON INSTAGRAM  Pictures are worth a thousand words of course, and customers can pinpoint that passion in one shot and a string of #Hashtags.   If you use Instagram - search #Ferragamo or #SalvatoreFerragamo - and get ready to smile!  Few brands would receive the range of clients that post images.   On a recent search I saw everything from a little boy in his Sunday best suit which included a Gancio double buckle belt in Latin America, three beautiful actors and actresses dressed in Ferragamo in Japan, and countless shots of runway shoes!!  It's priceless.   Make it a habit of searching on instagram for inspiration.  It's not always runway worthy images - but I guarantee you will see something that can inspire you!