FERRAGAMO GOES GAGA FOR E-COMMERCE

TILDA SWINTON IN FERRAGAMOItalian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo is having yet another huge week.   Readers remember the recent W cover with Tilda Swinton, the uber-luxurious Resort show on 5th Avenue, and the IPO that had investors saying "Ciao Bello" in Italy.  You would expect the house to be a little more quiet as we approach the dog days of Summer, but August is starting out anything but quiet!  

On Friday August 5th, the house will offer an exclusive event for U.S. customers with the first ever "Virtual Trunk show" of ready-to-wear, shoes, and handbags.  ELETTRA ROSSELLINI WIEDEMANN  Model Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann stars in this ground breaking web-event.   Granddaughter of the Hollywood legend, and loyal Ferragamo client -Ingrid Bergman, Wiedemann brings a sense of sophistication and legacy to the campaign.  Visitors who register at www.Trunkshow.Ferragamo.com can create outfits ELETTRA IN FERRAGAMO FALL 2011via virtual paper-dolls and share the ensembles on Facebook and Twitter- talk about savvy marketing!!  Shoppers have just three weeks to order the limited quantities and styles during this exclusive event.

This would be the biggest news of any week, had a little singer named  Lady Gaga not stolen the show!  LADY GAGA IN FERRAGAMO FALL 2011 That's right, international superstar and fashion icon (she did give Alexander McQueen a global stage AND re-launch the runway collection of Thierry Mugler) Gaga wore Head to Piano Ferragamo- that's right, I said Piano,  on The View on Monday.  Ok, the piano wasn't actually Ferragamo, but Gaga had it painted to mimic the houndstooth print of her Ferragamo Dress, Shoes, & Python Clutch. GAGA'S "ODE TO FERRAGAMO"  I think that means she really likes it!    It also shows that Gaga is growing into her style - after all this legendary house (nicknamed the "Italian Hermes" by loyal fans) is the first company she has worn that offers such a full spectrum of fashion goods from silk scarves to men's ties, to those hot stiletto shoes!    Is this a sign that Lady Gaga might be starring in the next Ferragamo campaign?   We'll have to wait and see, but with Ferragamo - something major unfolds week after week!

To learn more about the virtual trunk show, visit www.Trunkshow.Ferragamo on Friday August 5th!  Until then - visit Ferragamo.com to see all the things happening at the house that Salvatore built, or visit the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique in your town to see the Fall collection in person.

AVATAR SHOES INVADE FASHION RUNWAYS!

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - ALIEN PLATFORM Not exactly what they are wearing on Pandora, but fashion designers from NY, Paris, & Milan have been showcasing platform shoes that are out of this world!

The trend has been rising for a few years  now, and who can say when it will reach it's peak or shall we say summit?   It seems that women have always wanted longer legs and smaller feet.   To say these shoes give you height, is an PANDORANS FROM AVATARunderstatement!  Balenciaga, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Ferragamo all have amazing platform shoes  for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.

JOHN GALLIANO -GALACTIC GYPSY ON THE RUNWAYNo one can compete with Lady GaGa as the poster girl for the platform trend.   GaGa is an international style icon, and her image is as powerful - as her sound.    Her incredible video for BAD ROMANCE featured dazzling creations by Alexander McQueen.  With all her talent, maybe GaGa is from a galaxy far, far away.  She recently told Oprah that she had the idea of painting herself blue, long before Avatar came out.   Maybe James Cameron will ask GaGa to be in the sequel!LADY GAGA "BAD ROMANCE" - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Of course Ferragamo is no stranger to platforms.   After all, Salvatore Ferragamo was the first designer to show the platform ( in fact, he received the first ever shoe patent for his cork wedge platform back in the 1937).    The image of his multi-colored platform wedge from the early 30's is known around the world.FERRAGAMO CIRCA 1932FERRAGAMO FALL 2009 - LUISA - PLATFORM STILETTO

For Spring 2010, the House of Ferragamo celebrates the legacy of Salvatore's innovation with a group of shoes inspired by the sea - and the iconic Ferragamo platform.    With countless folds of leather, painstakingly crafted by hand and studded for texture,  each shoe is a work of art.  Ferragamo was the first designer to utilize "sea leathers" or skins from the ocean.   Stingray, eel, python, and various fish skins were all in the designers collection in the 30's.FERRAGAMO GIORDANA - $1,150.00

The spring 2010 collection is full of neutral metallic options that are as hot with jeans as they are with that little party dress. The house has also just revamped their website - making purchasing on-line so much easier - click FERRAGAMO

Everyone knows that shoes have taken over as the HOT accessory in women's fashion.   You can rock your jeans from last year, but shoes are one item you want to invest in each season.   One or two great pairs can keep your entire wardrobe relevant.   

BALENCIAGA "TOY" SHOES - 2007/8In August of 2007, these colorful killers by Balenciaga ran in a story in Elle Magazine.  Inspired by toys (Legos), at the time they seemed really far fetched.   Fast forward a few years, and they seem to be right in step with the trend!

*Jason Jobson is a representative of Salvatore Ferragamo Inc.

WHAT EVER YOUR TASTE - THE STYLE IS GREEN!

Green is definitely the movement of the moment.   Everywhere you look, companies are jumping on the 'GO Green" bandwagon.  What was once seen an a sacrifice is now becoming a "trend" in marketing.  While some companies have come around to greener ways of manufacturing with less than benevolent intentions - who cares?  We can all agree - any effort to Reduce, Re-use, Recycle is a worthy cause.    Even the smallest changes you make in your own life will help the environment and also raise the next generation to think about these issues in a way that is beneficial to our planet.

Many of us have questions about just how to make the best choices.   If you are wondering how you can make a difference and just what to do - I suggest you check out  www.DeepGreenLiving.com.   DGL is a great company founded by Susan Short, that will help you learn the best options and why to choose the products that are good to the planet.

DGL has thought of some innovative and fun ways to learn about the environment - my favorite - a cocktail party!  That's right - if you invite the friends and provide the cocktails - one of the razor sharp staff members from DGL will attend and serve as your party host and give you all the Green lowdown as you down your favorite libation or four.   Great excuse to have the gang over and play mix-master!LADY GAGA A LA KERMIT

There are many other programs that do not include alcohol and also a great list of products to buy and even a GREEN gift basket that would be an EXCELLENT choice to give to any host or hostess you are visiting this summer!  
KERMIT THE FROG

By the way, why isn't Kermit the frog all over this movement?  Could there be a better celebrity endorsement for Green causes than Kermit?  Oh, maybe Oscar the Grouch!  Now that I think of it, Oscar lived in a garbage can, so obviously he was into recycling.   Maybe there could be a Sesame Street / Muppets tie-in!  I'm going to get on that!

To find out more visit www.DeepGreenLiving.com !

GAGA FOR BALENCIAGA

Lady GaGaNo, not Lady GaGa - although we love her - she is GaGa for Thierry Mugler!  We are GAGA over the latest Balenciaga Collection that Nicholas Ghesquiere showed in Paris on Thursday.    The collection was directional, wearable, and so Parisian chic!  While words like commercial are not always used as a compliment in the designer fashion world - in this economy - believe me - it is a compliment.  Nicolas Ghesquiere Ghesquiere draped silks and velvets in a way that was more Venetian shades than rouching - but it worked.   Nicholas toned down his out of this world aesthetic that has dominated his last few collections and gave us soft and supple and luxe by the mile.   These are the type of pieces that women will continue to spend large sums of money on.   When one look can make a woman feel feminine, sexy, and cover her arms all at the same time - its recession proof!  I'm sure department store buyers will be rewarding designers who can manage to serve up excitement on the runway - while still creating looks that will have registers ringing at full price next fall!