SEARCHING FOR MEANING -FALL 2017 AS ENVISIONED BY SOUTH COAST PLAZA. - COSTA MESAHELLO FALL!
It's always a bittersweet feeling. Those of us working in the fashion world know that just when you are starting to enjoy the groove of your Summer - it's over, and time to look ahead as the most incredible Fall pieces are hitting your store! 
THE ART of FASHION from NORTHPARK CENTER - DALLAS It's like we have to live two realities - One wishing Summer would never end, the other wishing that first hint of Fall would arrive to inspire shoppers to hit the stores! It IS an exciting time. When working for a luxury house like Salvatore Ferragamo, gorgeous pieces arrive one after the other. With so many SKU's, it's not uncommon to catch something new after a day off and think "when did that get here"!. 
LOOK 36 - FALL 2017 Please remember, most brands do not have this luxury. MANY of the "luxury" brands we hear about carry a BIG STICK in terms of PR and promotion, but when you shop the store..
BAL HARBOUR SHOPS - FALL 2017 - BAL HARBOUR their product really speaks quite softly.. At a time when retail customers can be scarce in shopping centers, YOUR store is one of few that gives a real reason to see what has arrived.
One of my favorite ways to look at key Fall looks is to see how the most exclusive shopping centers in the world are promoting their boutique collections. 
AMERICANA MANHASSET FALL 2017- *SHOT IN PARIS - MANHASSET, NY It is so interesting to see how the stylists and photographers can take the same runway look and create something totally different... it's just like working with two different clients. While it is easy to take it for granted, for a shopping center to have the taste level to recognize production quality, and to create magazines and photo shoots on the level of the biggest fashion publications in the world - well it is RARE to say the least! Four of the MOST exclusive shopping destinations in fashion are right here in the USA. South Coast Plaza, NorthPark Center, Bal Harbour Shops, and the Americana Manhasset. At the heart of them, all of these centers began and thrive due to the family owned businesses that built them. Just like Ferragamo, each of these Oases are run with the personal attention of the owners and management team. You feel it. It's tangible. It shows.
**Take note of the "cut off her head" trend in editorial.. it's everywhere.. ouch!**
TOE TO HEAD
Start with the two shoes that have elegant editorial pages in magazines in print and on websites around the world. The Flower Heel and F Heel are - EVERYTHING. With a "LEGACY OF LUXURY" heritage behind these heels, and a red hot designer like Paul Andrew reVAMPing them - these shoes were destined to be BEST SELLERS. 
"IT" shoes of the season! In any variety - the F HEEL and Flower Heel are stealing the show in print around the world. At these prices, don't you DARE let her buy just one pair!! Be it the mule/slides or highest heel - these shoes are as chic as it gets and considering the price point - your client seriously needs multiple colors - DON'T FORGET TO SUGGEST MORE THAN ONE.
SMART FASHION
Every woman wants to feel like she is making "smart" choices when she is investing in her designer wardrobe. Will that shoe work with everything? Will I wear that dress more than once? Is that bag too big / small for every day? 
"ALEXA" FASHION REPORT FROM THE NEW YORK POST All these questions - of course subjective and ultimately up to her. On the flip side - it is also exciting when a brand knows that smart, accomplished, and powerful women are showcasing their designs. As the saying goes - The Future Is Female. (Did you have a doubt?) For the August issue, ELLE Magazine featured "Star Tech Voyagers" - Women in Tech - a story showcasing some of the most successful women in the industry. The Vice President of Amazon - Maria Renz wears the long sleeve, animal print, mixed pattern dress from runway. Renz has been with Amazon over 18 years, and began in marketing. Maria says she would calculate sales of the website performance on an excel spreadsheet in the beginning.
MARIA RENZ - VICE PRESIDENT - AMAZON - SO CHIC IN SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RUNWAY EXIT 4, BUT A "NOT SO FLATTERING" SHOE CHOICE NOT COURTESY OF FERRAGAMO - AS SEEN IN ELLE MAGAZINE She took a real chance by suggesting the company forego advertising to pay for free shipping - a decision that would change the future of the now largest retailer in the world. Renz describes it as her "lean in" moment - by basically telling her boss, Jeff Bezos, to eliminate her department. As a key Vice President, and known in the industry as Jeff Bezos' right hand - needless to say her nerve and instinct paid off! 
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO MIXED ANIMAL PRINT CREPE DRESS - $2,680.00 - FALL 2017 *What a great example of how a dress can look even better on a real woman than when first seen on the runway. So often these beautiful clothes need curves to bring them to life!
As predicted a few months ago, we've seen the Print Media gravitate to all things GOLD in 2017. Gold hardware is back in a BIG WAY. Bling, Bling, and more BLING is the mantra for many heading in to Fall 2017. It's really rewarding to see how The House of Ferragamo can deliver the trend in such a sophisticated form. Even when giving you logo - it's so subtle - you find many clients that are allergic to logos in general, wearing our Gancio with pride. It's very #UnderTheRadar. Now, of course for some of our devout belt clients - we know it's ALL ABOUT THE LOGO. That's great! Every designer house in the industry hopes to achieve this level of success. To have customers that MUST HAVE a logo from your brand.... That's magic!
GO GRAY FOR THE DAY - OR THE SEASON!
URBAN GREY SOFT SOFIA WITH GOLD HARDWARE - FALL 2017Considering the amount of pale pastels that have flooded the market in the last year to 18 months, the cool subtle options of Ferragamo's "Urban Grey" pieces are so chic, so easy, and truly so sophisticated. When realized in a classic Sofia or the new flower Heel Pump.. no words needed. 
BE STILL MY HEART - THE FLOWER HEEL PUMP IN URBAN GREY SUEDE... This neutral color can really go anywhere as it becomes the perfect backdrop to other colors. What a pleasure to suggest these gorgeous pieces in a color you know if not overflowing in her wardrobe!
PARTY DRESS
Runway rules editorial, and advertising - no doubt.. but sometimes a dress in Pre-Collection can be absolute perfection. 
This long-sleeve, silk crepe, pleated party dress is just about the coolest thing I've seen all season. This little gem could be the go-to item in a travel wardrobe for any woman that loves her legs. Not just for the size 2 client, but cut with a high arm-hole "french" style. the A-Line shape offers such freedom, and belting it would totally change the look. This dress loves parties, curves, and anyone with a sense of style!
Stay tuned: The Spring 2018 Runway collection is about to bow in Milan. I'll bring a recap with the key looks your merchants will be buying as it takes shape.!