Those of us that work in the fashion industry have a strange relationship with the seasons. As the weather gets warmer in the Spring, we know that it means the Fall collections are just arriving in the boutiques. First up is Pre-Fall. It's hard to believe that designer collections used to have just two deliveries a year - Spring and Fall. Somehow, that was enough to keep customers shopping throughout the year. Times have certainly changed! Over the years designers added additional deliveries such as Resort. Resort would hit the boutiques in November and gave clients an opportunity to plan their wardrobe for holiday vacations. 
HOUNDSTOOTH PRINTED HAIR CALF FIAMMETTA -#21-C038 - $1,890 This delivery was also called Cruise - as many customers took cruises in late December and January. Keep in mind, the segment of the industry dubbed Fast Fashion such as stores like Uniqlo and H&M (known for good quality at low prices with up to 12 deliveries a year) have pushed the designer sector to keep innovating and revamping itself.
VARINA "FLORENCE" #441089 IN HOUNDSTOOTH HAIR CALF $620
OFF THE SHELVES
Two of the first styles hitting the boutiques are a revamp of a classic! Varina and Varina FUN are sure to be best sellers. The styles have been well received on the Fall previews, and the metallic colors that just hit the NYC boutique are selling out! The Varina fun are fun, and chic -perfect for a fashion customer that doesn't have a Vara or a Varina. 
VARINA FUN -#444456 - LEAPARD PRINTED HAIR CALF $590Of course, it is an easy sell for any client that loves the Vara and Varina. The new styles are unique with novelty details - while being neutral at the same time. The metallic and animal print combination screams luxury. There is something about bronze and copper tones that Women of all ages are drawn to. The Fall runways in Milan and Paris had a metallic theme throughout. 
MULTI PATCHWORK - C029 MARISA - $1,750
*Be on the lookout for lame and copper stories in all the fashion magazines. Priced from $420 - $620, there are options and details to warrant the difference in price. Get your best customers in to see these styles before they are sold out, and she is asking you why she didn't get one!
LEGACY OF LUXURY
In this time of mass produced "luxury" goods from major designer labels, items that draw attention to hand finished detailing are true luxury fashion pieces. Add to that, the hand finishing of these pieces within Europe takes an accessory to another level due to the high cost of production within these countries with the highest standards of working conditions for their labor force.
The Hand Stitched Patchwork group for Fall are just such accessories. Displaying the pinnacle of hand crafted detail, these logo free shoes are a true luxury. The color combination is an excellent way to incorporate RED into an outfit and a wardrobe. The supple leather hugs the foot as the top-stitch detail flatters the contours of the arch and frames the toes with every step she takes! The hand stitch detail is a menswear reference that adds a smoldering sensuality to any ensemble. Think of Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde. 
FAYE DUNAWAY IN BONNIE & CYDEUse her as a reference point when you put combinations together this fall. The look is an American classic and always in style.
PATCHWORK FELINA #445795 - $1,250
As I've mentioned before, color options for fall are so easy to work with as they ad color but remain neutral - a key selling point when convincing a customer to go with a color she might not usually choose. The second color option is the Gray / Amethyst / Royal Blue combination that works with jewel tones and can easily lend itself to evening. Think how flattering these colors are to a beautiful silk blouse in black or burgundy.
Remember our mission is to help push a customer just past their comfort zone when making fashion choices - that's when she sparkles!
The Fall collections from our shoe, handbag, and RTW categories have true synergy - telling one story throughout all categories. This is really symbolic of where the Ferragamo collection is headed in years to come with the debut of Massimiliano Giornetti's first Ferragamo Donna runway show. Keeping this theme of synergy in mind, look at one of the strongest handbag groups for fall - Patchwork. These calfskin bags are supple and soft and have a hand that makes you 
FIAMMETTA PATCHWORK -$1,830want to hold them. The Fiammetta shape hugs the body when worn across with the shoulder strap. This is a true Fashion bag for our most forward clients.
FERRAGAMO TIME
In the 1920's Salvatore Ferragamo introduced the first hand stitched sandals with patchwork uppers. As with most of his designs, this was so ahead of it's time. Amazingly, the reverence is still current today , as we see it reborn in the Fall 2010 collection. An homage to the man that made this all possible.
RUNWAY WORDS
BROGUING - The term brogueing refers to punched patterns along the seams and outer layers of shoe uppers. Often associated with Wingtip shoes, that style is also referred to as a Brogue. 
FEDORA MARY JANE $520 The term has Scottish roots and stems from the Gaelic word Brog, which means shoe. Take note of the broguing detail on the new Fedora Mary Jane - inspired by the iconic Audrey.