MAY & MOTHER'S DAY - CELEBRATE FASHION ALL MONTH

EQUESTRIAN BOOTS FROM SALVATORE FERRAGAMO JOINS A GIVENCHY COAT, MUGLER TOP, & SONIA RYKIEL SHORTS IN THE STABLE THIS MONTH IN ELLE MAGAZINE'S "RIDING HIGH" - PHOTOS BY LIZ COLLINSThe month of May is magical.  Spring has sprung from coast to coast.  Even in New England where there was frost on a friend's windshield one morning 10 days ago, the promise of warm nights and sunny days has women of all ages thinking two things :"what to wear?" and " I need....".   Those are two of the nicest thoughts we like to hear in the fashion world.  At Salvatore Ferragamo you have suggestions for both thoughts.  In fact, you have hundreds!

This month Salvatore Ferragamo has prestigious editorial coverage for multiple categories of handcrafted fashion.    It's important to take note of the range of the editorials.   One understated luxury item - leather riding boots.   One iconic fashion item - reinvention of the Rainbow wedge.   One ultra-luxe accessory - snake skin fringed runway bag.  One serious fashion runway dress - hand painted knit Spring runway. EXTRA EXTRA FROM ELLE - CELEBRATES THE REINVENTION OF AN ICON - THE SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RAINBOW WEDGE FOR 2015   To receive this much coverage in one month is rare, to have such a variety of categories is amazing, and should really make us all proud to be working with this collection!  For one House of Luxury fashion to be able to fit all these images and stories is really incredible.  Especially when you consider Salvatore Ferragamo is one collection.  SALVATORE FERRAGAMO WOVEN LEATHER / PYTHON / RESIN FOLDING TOTE -CLUTH IS AT THE TOP OF HARPER'S BAZAAR -"TROPICAL PUNCH" FEATURE, JOINING -THE ROW, LANVIN, DRIES VAN NOTEN, VERSACE, AND MORE! There is no Miu Miu to our runway.. It's all the same price point.  Item by item.  One beautiful piece after another.

Mother's Day is a golden opportunity for fashion boutiques.   Of course, it's huge because of the gifts that were  bought for Mom - but it's also a moment when you had sons, daughters, and husbands in the store looking at the latest arrivals.  With so many different women shopping Ferragamo, you can dress - Classic Mom, fashion Mom, Corporate Mom, Beach Mom, and on and on.   With that variety, even a shopper with the best intentions would find it hard not to at least look at something they might like for themselves.  It's human nature!  Oftentimes, two gifts are bought - one for Mom and one for themselves.  It might have been the same day or a few days later.  The romancing has started!   Now that you opened the door, be sure to follow up with clients in the next 10 days. HARPER'S BAZAAR FEATURES A HAND PAINTED SALVATORE FERRAGAMO RUNWAY LOOK IN THE "DESERT OASIS" FEATURE. THIS DRESS WOULD BE AN OASIS IN ANY SETTING!

Runway is always a chance to showcase the most creative offering from a collection.  That is the reason the majority of what we see promoted by the magazines are looks from the runway.  It's really exciting when a classic style, or a look from main collection is featured in a magazine.   It's even more exciting when a classic makes a "best" list.    This week EllE.com published "14 of the Best, Most Colorful Bags For Spring."   How awesome is it to find a Ferragamo bag lighting up the list! The Small Gancio Lock Shoulder bag in Blue is right at home alongside Fendi, Balenciaga, Mark Cross, Valentino, and some lower priced items.   Priced at $1,390.00 - the Small Gancio Lock Shoulder bag is a great way to introduce a vivid shot of color into an otherwise neutral bag wardrobe.  Suggest one today! 

With two weeks until Memorial Day, put together a short list of "must have" items for the Summer.  Choose two items from every category head-to-toe.  Don't forget silks - or CJ!  Those small items can make or break a ensemble.  It can also take a look from presentable to spectacular!   A necklace, ring, or silk scarf can change her relationship with fashion.  Why not be the person that lets her know?FERRAGAMO SMALL GANCIO LOCK SHOULDER BAG IN BLUE - AS SEEN ON ELLE.COM

One big look for Spring - Fashion from the Tropics.   The look has many names, but at the core, it's a use of natural raw materials, or historic, indigenous print designs that have never been more prominent on fashion runways.   Of course the use of Raffia is nothing new to Salvatore Ferragamo clients.  Salvatore himself introduced this material 70 years ago as a ground breaking innovation to world of high fashion.  

Summer is right around the corner, you can tell because so many beautiful accessories are in full bloom!

APRIL 2014 - SPRING IN HER STEP!

HARPER'S BAZAAR FEATURES SALVATORE FERRAGAMO AS A KEY "LOOK" FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WOMAN - THINK PINSTRIPES AND PANTS

OFF THE SHELVES

Spring has Sprung!  It's official.  Women are excited to put together that Spring/Summer wardrobe that's consisted of layers on layers for the last few months.   The direction from Salvatore Ferragamo's creative director is once again front and center in fashion magazines in March / April issues.  PAULEEN LAZER CUT, SUEDE PUMP - $550.00 - A MUST HAVE IN EVERY WOMAN'S CLOSET (BLACK, OXFORD) Massimiliano Giornetti's Spring Summer collection stood out to editors and stood up to the chicest of his fellow designers. DARIA WERBOWY FOR SALVATORE FERRAGAMO - SPRING 2014 - THE SILHOUETE OF THE SEASON - OVERSIZED, CROPPED JACKET, W/ HIGH WAISTED PANT 

One theme getting major attention is the pinstripe pant suit prominently featured on the runway, in several versions.   Of course, the number of women who actually buy RTW (from ANY collection) is a small percentage of the designer fashion audience.   We are a leather goods obsessed society.   Therefore, the looks shown on the runway, and the select few fashion houses like Salvatore Ferragamo that actually produce these items are really in a league of their own.  While the vast majority of fashion clients don't purchase runway looks, it is those runway images they are seeing over and over, and over again.  That's powerful.

The Runway looks are your tool to tell the whole story to your client.  "Oh, that bootie - works so well with a pinstripe trouser" or "That cross body bag was meant for a double breasted jacket"  etc. etc.  STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2014 - OVESIZED / CROPPED JACKET, HIGH WAISTED PANT, AND CROPPED KNIT TOP FEATURED IN HARPER'S BAZAAR  Harper's Bazaar is giving readers exactly the same tool.  A shot from the best runway shows for Spring - and lower priced alternatives to "create the look".    **Salvatore Ferragamo is the first look leading the story**    

If your boutique carries ready-to-wear, bringing a trouser, or jacket, or dress to a shoe or handbagPACELLA SANDAL PUMP IN BLACK CALFSKIN -A NEW BLACK STAPLE- $750.00 should be automatic.    Introduce RTW as a way to validate the accessory suggestion.  Raising the status of both categories.  

If your boutique doesn't carry RTW, all the more reason to have key editorial copies on hand.  Show her the latest Ferragamo press credits.   Ask if she will wear pinstripes,  if she already has a minaudiere, or whatever the item is.  Leading you to show her the latest accessory you have in those categories.

This suit silhouette for Spring is all about attitude!   The jackets are boxy cuts, oversized, and can hang off the body a bit.  Pants are worn high, with a paper bag style waist - gathered or cynched. PAULEEN SANDAL PUMP IN ROSE CALFSKIN -$750.00 These pieces are not close to the body fitted items - that's not this look.  This is not a look for the ladies that need it to fit "perfectly".   Stella McCartney was another major designer showing this silhouette.   Stella owns the cool chick clients, so let's just say - we are in great company.  

*Ironically,BLACK LASERCUT CALFSKIN "PACELLA" - $750.00 - TO WEAR WITH EVERYTHING! this oversized boxy cut can be very flattering and actually hide some "trouble spots"*

While some professional women might experiment with the high waisted pant, or the boxy cut jacket, not all of them wil be able to wear the runway shoe-bootie style pump.   Two incredible alternatives are already in the boutique and might just give her the confidence to wear the new shape / style of jackets and pants. SLEEK PAULEEN PUMP - KID SUEDE WITH LASER CUT DETAILS -$550.00 

Pauleen is a pointy pump that gives a classic look a fashion update.  Laser cut detailing makes this shoe so sophisticated that is can work just about any pant or skirt look.  Gorgeous Kid suede in Black, Quartz, or  *Oxford Blue* (Key color coming up) this is the shoe to have on hand to take "appropriate" to another level.   Pauleen's sexy sister is Pacella!  Lazer cut detailing in black or rose calfskin is so modern, so seductive, and the covered ankle / open toe sandal pump is a shoe that crosses age groups and styles.   A great suggestion for women self conscious about bare ankles - but still showcases the arch and toes of the foot.

* This open toe style has become a signature look of Massimiliano Giornetti's runway vision*  

LEGACY OF LUXURY

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO JOINS CHLOE, GUCCI, ALEXANDER WANG, DRIES VAN NOTEN, BOTTEGA VENETA AND MORE IN HARPER'S BAZAAR - "EXTRAS" PAGE FOR A RED HOT SPRING!Salvatore Ferragamo, the man, built his reputation on creating the unexpected in luxury footwear. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO MINAUDIERE - MIXED MATERIAL, LINED IN LEATHER - $1,850.00 Over the decades Salvatore Ferragamo, the collection carried on that tradition.   During WWII when leather was scarce, Ferragamo used fish skins, rafia, and natural fibers to create some of his most outstanding legacy pieces.  In handbags, the minaudiere in many ways carries on his tradition.  Often not made from leather, these little evening gems are now often carried during the day and are made from resins, metals, and other tech fibers.  Some are ahead of their time in design - just like Salvatore Ferragamo - the man, and the collection!

FERRAGAMO TIME

C MAGAZINE (AKA THE CHICEST MAGAZINE YOU'RE NOT READING) CURATED THESE POP ART LOOKS FOR THE APRIL ISSUE. FENDI, CHANEL, & PIERRE HARDY AMONG THE BEST.Fashion designers have always had a symbiotic relationship with the Fine artists of the day.   One hundred years ago it was Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali. A COLOR BLOCKED SOFIA - CHIC, SOPHISTICATED, AND HELPED TO SET ONE OF THIS SEASONS KEY TRENDS - $2,150.00 Schiaparelli designed dresses owed to the surrealist artist. Today Pop Artists are collaborating with Pop Singers such as Jeff Koons and Lady Gaga.  Koons created the cover art sculpture for Gaga's latest album -ArtPop.  In return, Gaga name checks Koons in the first single that was released from the album - APPLAUSE.  ( Incidentally, Koons charming wife Justine told me at Jeff's last opening, that Gaga was "lovely" and "down to earth"- fascinating.. no?).   This Spring we've never seen more pop-art influence.   One way this modern art influence was felt - geometric color blocking.   Color blocked handbags,DENIM OVERALLS AND TRAINERS ARE BACK - WITH AN ULTRA-LUXE TWIST OF COURSE! shoes, and of course clothing turned up all over the fashion world. COLOR BLOCKED CALFSKIN IN FLATTERING TONES OF CREAM AND BLUE -WITH MOD HARDWARE - $1,350.00 Suggest these mixed color combinations to all your fashion clients.  The trend can cross all age groups and all styles.   Luckily, the colors are also easy to wear - every shade of blue is feautured somewhere this Spring.   The trend also crosses price points and manufacturing categories.  For instance NIKE got a mention in Bazaar along with major designer brands.  

It's a great example of High / Low and also how young, fashionable women dress - sometimes!