While 2016 seemed to be the year of the Power Pant Suit - (most notably worn by candidate Hillary Clinton), November seems like a lifetime ago. As 2017 unfolds, one of the first trends to clearly emerge from fashion designers around the world: The return of the dress. Not just day dresses with business appropriate details, but full colored, luxurious, beautiful dresses to be worn anytime and anywhere. With what became the first publicly acknowledged designs from New RTW design director Fulvio Rigoni, the Spring Ferragamo 2017 collection is chic, sophisticated, and turning heads around the world! With one strong dress after the other - the collection has since exploded in editorial fashion spreads in every major magazine in the business. There are *ruching* details, pleats, trumpet skirts, wrap ties, and a combination of all these things on most of the silhouettes. Not to mention - floral print options to flatter most skin tones and hair colors. With the exclusive distribution in Ferragamo boutiques, these pieces are so powerful and limited - they make EXCELLENT options for a special occasion, milestone event, trip of a lifetime - you name it. This Spring collection is arguably one of the strongest presentations of dresses Ferragamo has seen in years. With strapless and high neck, sleeveless and Long sleeve, solids and bold prints - to say there are "options" doesn't seem to cover it. *These pieces are a must for collectors*
Our Spring collection Previews have been a most gorgeous display of our dress options for 2017. With super successful events in New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, and Costa Mesa- the reaction to this Spring collection is clear. Women from coast to coast have been entranced and romanced by the Spring 2017 collection. With a "future-is-now" Haute-Sport silhouette on the runways the Spring 17 season takes some of Salvatore's first shoe designs from 90 years ago and catapults them into the future, again. With stacked heels in homage to the Rainbow wedge and multiple straps that wrap the foot like a runway dress - the runway platform is selling out in every color. While Prada was one of the first collections to promote the "retro" aspect to PLATFORM SANDALS on the runway, the look has become a brand statement for designers like Stella McCartney and Proenza Schouler. All the while, Ferragamo has introduced shoes that Salvatore might have created himself. I met one women in the Costa Mesa btq last week that bought all three solid colors of the Origami Sandal. She happily told me "with red, blue, and green, I'll be able to wear one with anything in my closet". I couldn't have said it better!
*There is no stronger point of reference to the DNA of Ferragamo than what we are seeing in 2017*
As we continue to celebrate 2017 as the year that women around the world have been inspired to speak up and stand out in support of equal rights and against misogyny - brands that have always empowered and celebrated women are in the spotlight. Coco Chanel's defiance of all things traditional certainly comes to mind at a time when we need all the rebels we can find. Salvatore Ferragamo's celebration of the beauty, and power of women is also a fantastic symbol of an empowering fashion industry. An industry that has had many women running multi-million in the past and now multi-billion dollar companies. Make no mistake - it's not that these ladies are doing things "as good" as a man - they are doing them LIKE A WOMAN. Hopefully the world can finally see - no comparison is necessary. She gets it done! There could be no better example of women's empowerment than Wanda Ferragamo herself. After the sudden death of her husband, she bravely took the helm of a company that would become the largest designer shoe house in the world. At a time when few women were in any executive roles of ANY company around the world, Ferragamo was being led by a woman, creating luxury products FOR women. I would bet that for every man that thought it was a great idea for this widow to run the company at that time, there were two who thought it was crazy. BRAVO FERRAGAMO!!
While pink is a staple for most spring collections every year, THIS YEAR it is EVERYWHERE!
American women have accepted combining shades of color in the last few years. For example, wearing a color like pink to accent red is a big trend for Spring.. This tonal trend is SO flattering and so easy. Choose a color group and layer on shades.
*Find a way for your customer to wear pieces she has in her closet, worn back to the latest items you have in the boutique. Often the color stories from one year to another can talk to each other.
GREEN MACHINE
Second only to Pink - all shades of GREEN are the other big color trend this Spring. It's a comfortable shade for Ferragamo as the house has helped create the trend by showcasing it for several seasons now. This deep, rich green shown this season is both a neutral when merchandising, but also makes a definite statement. I dare any customer to tell you she has "too much green in her wardrobe". Everyone can layer in a good luck green item into her own Spring collection. The items in the Ferragamo collection are feminine and flattering. With a nod to classic shapes these items can easily dress WAY up.. or be worn back to a casual denim jacket. Harper's Bazaar cover girl and global pop icon RIHANNA showcases this flattering color of the season in an elegant homage to Amelia Earhart - the aviation pioneer who was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Now THAT is Girl Power!