APRIL RAINBOWS AND COLLABORATIONS, BRINGS MAY GIFT OPTIONS FOR ALL THE WOMEN WE KNOW!
With each passing week the fashion world as we know it continues to evolve. It can be said that more designers have left major fashion houses in the last few years, than in the previous decade. Just days after Ferragamo announced Massimiliano's exit from the house late last month - Saint Laurent confirmed the rumors that Hedi Slimane was leaving that storied house of all things Parisian Chic. While sales of accessories had increased under Slimane's watch - many RTW fans (yours truly included) are breathing a sigh of relief. Hedi had taken the collection in a definitive Grunge / Punk direction that hung around season after season. In just four years Slimane seemed to make it his goal to make sure the fabled house was no longer "All About Yves" in so many ways. The most obvious being the name change from YSL to Saint Laurent. Then moving the design studio to Los Angeles from Paris was also about as dramatic a move an iconic French fashion house could make.
*The house raised eyebrows by wiping images of Slimane from the official Instagram account soon after the announcement of his departure. Incoming designer Anthony Vaccarello is sure to bring quite a different energy to the brand, as he is known for the very sexy "Slit Dresses" that are the favorite of super models and red carpet walkers around the world.
The latest "rumor" is that Kaiser Karl Lagerfeld himself might be leaving Chanel! At this point Karl holds two of the longest tenures in fashion history having worked with both Chanel and Fendi for Decades! If there is any truth to Lagerfed wanting to slow down (he is 84, or 5 or 6 depending who you talk to) he could give up his less prestigious namesake brand, or retire from Fendi. I think Chanel is a prestige position he will keep until he can no longer hold a colored marker. Stay tuned!
COLLABORATIONS ABOUND!
This Spring, in addition to red hot colors on the runway - Ferragamo has also launched two spectacular collaborations that have women clicking, sharing, and liking on social media around the world! With Mother's Day just around the corner, timing couldn't be more perfect! Handbags and Fine Jewelry - can you think of a better gift for Mom?
STERLING DESIGNS
Designer Daniela Villegas brings her charming sense of whimsy to the Ferragamo Fine jewelry collection. This LA based designer often incorporates nature's most exotic creatures in her designs - from porcupines to beetles to parrots. Her collaboration with Ferragamo was inspired by Parrots and birds featured on silk scarves from the archives. These pendants, rings, earrings, and charms are such a wonderful gift for women of any age - and priced to make them an easy gift purchase! Villegas typically works in 18k gold making these sterling silver pieces even more special and novelty. ( Interesting side-note - the designer is married to Salma Hayek's brother, sports green hair, and is down to earth and positively charming!).
HANDBAGS TO COLLECT
The Spring Handbag collaboration with designer Sara Batagglia couldn't be more on trend and true to Ferragamo DNA as the colors of the Rainbow light up this capsule collection of bags, and rainbow stripes continue to captivate the fashion world with shoppers at just about every retailer embracing this new "neutral".
Ms. Batagglia is known for sexy designs with a whimsical approach, and was inspired by the iconic rainbow wedge. With this capsule, Ms. Battaglia has created bags that are sure to be collectors items in years to come. From the iconic Sofia (with tassel charm!!) to a classic evening clutch - suggest one of these bags to all of your coolest shoppers. The rainbow bucket bag aka "satchel" is also one of the coolest shapes we've seen in a while.
**Suggest wrapping a silk screen scarf around the handle of a top handle bag for a color on color explosion!!! This trend of wrapping handles in silk is back in a big way -now worn by many young girsl in Asia and the Middle-East.
Collaborations with iconic fashion houses and younger creative designers just establishing themselves is a wonderful legacy of the fashion world. Often without the infrasructure a big brand can provide - these new desingers would never be able to bring these ideas to fruition. Take a moment to reflect on how special these pieces are.
NEW NEUTRAL
When in doubt this Spring - suggest GREEN as a new neutral. The color least found in your clients closet makes a great addition to ANY wardrobe. Perfect for vacations around the world. Suggest this snake skin sandal today and she will be wearing it tomorrow, and next month, and next year!
DRESS FOR ALL HER SUCCESS
Remember to encourage your ladies to invest in some RTW dresses or tailored pieces that can take her to any black-tie or formal occasion that might come up. When runway dresses & Gowns like we saw for Spring are retailing for under $3k - those are items to buy now and wear later. The gorgeous blue strapless cotton long dress with ruffles and wrap tie detail is incredibly flattering to so many body types and hair colors. If you have a client that attends fundraisers or galas - she needs that dress. Find one before they are gone! I promise you she will not find another dress form a European house that's an entrance maker, sophisticated, and under $3k. **If your client tells you she just doesn't have occassions to wear runway dresses - be sure to tell her she should! I guarantee that attending at least once society fundraiser a year will change any women's life for the better!
CATCH THE RAINBOW
By now, I'm hoping many of your shoppers have taken notice of the rainbow trend and found a piece that speaks to them. Ferragamo, of course couldn't have a stronger legacy and history to this trend -because let's face it - most fashion designers have been inspired by Salvatore's Rainbow Wedge for about 80 years!! Season after season we see versions of the Rainbow wedge elsewhere.. and this year the look has gone head-to-toe from the chicest collections around the world. Urge your ladies to put together a look featuring color stripes - OR - combine solids from several categories to create a multi-color look. Help her shine in this colorful trend!
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