JULY SUPPLY - FALL FASHION ARRIVES AS WE MELT THROUGH SUMMER!

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO AUTUMN 2016 - PHOTOGRAPHED BY CRAIG McDEAN - creates a living tribute to Salvatore's pursuit to celebrate the "SPLENDOR OF LIFE".They say "Some Like It Hot" - Well we have it hotter!  The weather is roasting this Summer of 2016 from coast to coast in the USA.  It's hard not to find record breaking temperatures in just about every state.  While shoppers have been in fickle moods lately, the heat has drawn many back to shopping centers as a way to escape the humidity.   It's a captive audience, even if the overflow is not our typical shopper.   Brand awareness is NEVER bad, and exposure and introduction can be a blessing in disguise.  A brand as broad and dynamic as Salvatore Ferragamo has so many opportunities for the aspirational client.  A belt, scarf, or fragrance customer today can easily be a Shoe or handbag client tomorrow, and maybe a RTW client sometime soon.   As the global economy continues to be in severe doldrums and terrorism plagues countries on most continents - the United States is one of the only bright spots on the planet on many fronts.  Our economy continues to grow, add jobs, and corporations sit on record profits.    Luxury clients from around the world visit the U.S. to shop.  Celebrate the fact that we are so fortunate to represent hope and happiness to so many.   We need to remember that today, maybe more than ever.  Be proud that in a world changing so fast in so many ways - Ferragamo represents a heritage and know-how celebrating artisans, their craftsmanship, and creativity as it did 100 years ago by Salvatore's own hands.    How many can say that?!

 GIGI HADID & ASHTON EASTON FLY IN STYLE CELEBRATING THE BEST OF FALL FERRAGAMO AND THE RIO OLYMPICS (NOTE ASHTON WEARS EMERALD GREEN)OLYMPICS IN VOGUE

The challenges of this Summer's Olympics in RIO have started long before any athlete hits the field.  Presidential Impeachment, the Zica virus,ASHTON EATON AND GIGI HADID SHINE LIKE OLYMPIANS - VOGUE AUGUST 2016 and a struggling economy haven't set the best stage for the games.  Never the less, Vogue magazine puts the games best foot forward with a gorgeous editorial in the August issue. SILK PLEATS AND COLOR SHINE ON THE FERRAGAMO RUNWAY - FALL 2016   Super-model Gigi Hadid energizes Falls hottest looks as possibly only she can do!  Along with Olympian Ashton Eaton - they light the torch for the Summer games and Gigi highlights Fall Brilliantly.  Beautifully shot by the legendary Mario Testino - hard to choose which one would take the Gold, Silver, or Bronze!

GOING FOR THE GREEN

While Olympians are going for the Gold this Summer, fashion fans around the world are collecting GREEN treasures they will wear with pride for years to come.   The allure of a deep, rich green has captivated mankind for thousands of years.  With Emeralds in stone and grass, trees, and vegetables in plants - perhaps humans are hard wired to be attracted to the color.   It catches the eye, and flatters most that wear it.   It might represent wealth, health, or ECO causes - but also it conveys LUXURY.  Be in Print, Patchwork, Exotic Skin, or Zig Zag designs - these emerald treasures will add dimension to her well curated wardrobe.  solid color, or just an accent - every client should have Emerald in her closet.  SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, GUCCI, DIOR, HERMES, FENDI AND MORE MAKE HARPER'S BAZAAR TOP TEN FOR FALL HANDBAGS! - FERRAGAMO ANITA $2,250.00

Harper's Bazaar highlights the best of season in the August issue.  Front and center is the Salvatore Ferragamo  ANITA shoulder bag with necklace link chain.  Who can resist?  The mix of textures and colors along with emerald makes a seductive palette for the Fall.  EMERALD SUEDE PUMPS - PERFECT ADDITION TO HER FALL LINEUP - $575.00 At a time when luxury shoppers and bargain hunters alike are all looking to make "smart" purchases. STUNNING PATCHWORK PUMP HITS ALL THE TRENDS - PATCHWORK, HAIR CALF, EXOTIC, EMERALD - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY - IT'S JUST SEXY! Ferragamo is a destination for women when they want to invest in a luxury item made with quality raw materials, by the finest artisans.  Women know the name Ferragamo represents the finest.   The name means quality.  Staples that will be fashionable this season, next season, and next year. 

FALL CAMPAIGN

With so much tension surrounding the political campaigns this year, what a pleasure to sit back and enjoy the beautiful photographs that make up the Fall Fashion campaigns. COLORFUL AND BEAUTIFUL - THE GORGEOUS AUTUMN / WINTER CAMPAIGN - SALVATORE FERAGAMO - PH: CRIAG MCDEAN  A highlight of many fashion shoppers is receiving the latest issue of their favorite magazine - to see the fashion campaigns from their favorite brands.   This Fall - Craig MCDean captured the beauty, elegance, and playful spirit of three lovely ladies - Ine Neefs, Valery Kaufman, and Ming Xi.  The photos also celebrate the relaxed spirit of the runway pieces.  Luxury, styled in a casual manner, which just feels very modern right now.  Today with all the social apps - from Facebook to Instagram, to Pinterest - these images live on longer and longer and become more and more relevant over the course of a season.   All the more reason they are so important for the image of a fashion house.   Its worth searching all those social platforms.  Take a look at who is posting what images with the hashtag - #Ferragamo, #SalvatoreFerragamo - etc.  What a great way to see how women are styling themselves with pieces from every category.   The fact that these ladies are self styling and promoting the look with hashtags makes them even more inspiring.   It might give you some great ideas when you are working with a client that reminds you of some super styled fashion fan on-line!  

FLATTERY

The legendary writer Oscar Wilde once said -"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery". GABRIELLA HEARST SHOE COLLECTION - FALL 2016 - REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING.  He had a point.   Coco Chanel was more direct - "Be ready to be copied"  Still, it can be shocking when we see some obvious - let's say - "Influence" that Ferragamo has on other brands.   I'm going to start a section I call "Flattery".    I'm going to showcase looks that make me do a double take.   SALVATORE FERRAGAMO FALL 2015 RUNWAY  In August, opening one of my favorite magazines - Harper's Bazaar - I couldn't help but notice NY based designer - Gabriella Hearst shoe design.  Hearst has created a lovely color palette for Fall 2016.  I like it.  I liked it even more last year on the Fall Ferragamo Runway.   Let's just say - "Flattered". 

Keep smiling this Summer.  Brighter - but cooler days are straight ahead!