FERRAGAMO GLAMOUR AT JAMES B. DUKE MANSIONFrom the day that Salvatore Ferragamo opened his Hollywood Boot Shop on Las Palmas Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1923, the most glamorous women in the world have worn Ferragamo. It is with this spirit that Ferragamo's Massimiliano Giornetti created the Resort 2012 collection he showed on a recent steamy Summer evening in New York City. Staged at the James B. Duke Mansion on 5th Avenue, the collection was as elegant and luxurious as the outrageous surroundings.
The Duke mansion was built in 1909 by James B. Duke, a founding partner of the American Tobacco company, owner of Duke Power, and father
DORIS DUKE of Doris Duke - the woman who would become one of the most famous and infamous socialites the world has ever known. This limestone mansion was a tribute to French Neoclassical architecture and would become THE home on Millionaire's Row opposite Central Park that all society envied and spoke of. 
NAUTICAL INSPIRATION FROM THE JET SET OF THE 20'S It is incredible to see the oversized scale of the grand foyer and to realize that only James, his wife Nanaline, and their adolescent little girl- Doris occupied the residence part of the year. (of course - there was staff!) To say they had interesting neighbors would be the understatement of the century. They had good company along 5th avenue, as family names like Vanderbilt, Dupont, and Carnegie all called this pristine stretch of the Upper East Side home. Doris Duke would never live in the house as an adult, it would be donated by Nanaline to New York University in the 50's after the death of James Duke. The old expression - they don't make them like this anymore couldn't be more appropriate. (An interesting fact for TV fans. The pilot episode of ABC's Dirty Sexy Money was shot here at the Duke Mansion. The show chronicled the fictional life of New York's richest family - The Darlings). 
JAMES B. DUKE MANSION AS SEEN FROM CENTRAL PARK
Darling setting it was, and if that family had really existed - they would have wanted to live here. It is amazing to think of the historical timeline of this house.
FERRAGAMO LUXURY - NAVY SILK & DIAMONDS The early 1900's and all the titans of industry building their empires. 
Looking to the French Riviera and the sophisticated lifestyle of the women of the 20's & 30's, the Ferragamo Resort Collection featured nautical references and luxury as a lifestyle. Shimmering gowns embroidered with micro-sequins created a silvery glow. A navy maxi-coat that was made to make a memorable entrance. 
SILVER AND GRAY SILK EVENING GOWN
The models descended from the grandest double height, marble staircase that created as dramatic an entrance as has ever been staged in a New York fashion show. What could have been a scene out of The Great Gatsby, took your breath away.
The most beautiful models in the industry walked the runway, and in the audience were the beauties of stage and screen. Eva Mendes, Emma Roberts, & Freida Pinto were three fresh faces that were a Summer delight in Ferragamo!
Never has a collection so fittingly adorned a setting, and the entire show was a truly unique New York moment. The softness of the shimmering silk, the pastel colors of the lightest blue, gray, and richest navy cashmeres, set against vintage Fred Leighton diamonds - so many diamonds! It will never happen again. Ferragamo was the first fashion event ever to be staged at the Duke mansion. Think of it -the house was built over 100 years ago and this was the premiere! The mansion now houses part of the NYU Fine Arts Collection.
I've been to fashion shows in New York, London, Milan, & Paris - and I had never seen one as glamorous as this before. Bravo Ferragamo, and Bravo to Massimiliano Giornetti for creating an event so perfectly honoring the legacy of Salvatore and for creating an event New Yorker's had never seen!
Skytop Lodge**Click the Ferragamo logo above to visit the company website, to find a store in your part of the world now**
Speaking of Great Gatsby style, the Skytop lodge in the Poconos is a perfect weekend destination to surround yourself with Gatsby era charm. The Sky Top lodge was
built in 1928 as a perfect place to celebrate the beauty of the Pocono mountains. Set on over 5,000 acres, SkyTop is sure to provide as much rest and relaxation as you can possibly need! The area is a buzz with excitement due to the second annual music festival taking place this month. Buck Hill Sky Top Music Festival is quickly becoming quite the celebrated social event and charitable cause. To visit SkyTop or attend the music festival, click the photo or logo above or at right.