JULY 15th - FEEL THE HEAT

MASSIMILIANO GIORNETTIThe dust has settled from all the fireworks this July - but Ferragamo continues to light up with press coverage!   WWD reported this month that Massimiliano Giornetti has been named creative director of Ferragamo for all product lines.   Having already proven his talent for Men's design at Ferragamo, Giornetti started designing the Donna Collection  for Fall 2010.  This move clearly shows the trust that the Ferragamo Family has in Giornetti's vision of Ferragamo.   We are sure to see even more synergy between RTW, Shoes, & Handbags for Ferragamo Donna.   This is exciting news, for the most relevant fashion collections tell a cohesive story from category to category! 

OFF THE SHELVES

When I was a kid I would cringe when I saw "back to school" promotions in the middle of the summer - but here I am writing about the idea in JULY!   While fall merchandise continues to arrive - keep those styles in mind for customers who are heading back to college in about 6 weeks.  (If you don't have any - think of the daughters you know).   There are so many pieces that can keep her super stylish on campus.   It doesn't matter if she is on a lush campus like Berkeley or the urban jungle of NYU - Ferragamo has just the styles for her fall wardrobe! LARGE BETULLA - $1,650.00BETULLA is the perfect bag to store everything from textbooks to gym clothes.   The durable finish and lightweight make this the perfect bag for the girl on the go.   Priced from $1,150 to $1,650 both sizes are a great option.  ** Keep in mind - there are hundreds of girls carrying Chanel totes ($2,800 & up) on campus all over the country.   I have seen them myself shopping for groceries at Whole Foods in Westwood in L.A. and Union Square in NYC. **  If the hardware is too much for her - think of ROSSANA.  It is as understated as it gets and the petite proportion looks so pretty on the right girl.  Another bag mothers and daughters should be fighting over is BONARIA.   This hobo is a super cool shape that looks like it takes over where Balenciaga left off.  She will also do a double take when she checks the retail.   At $1,190 your client can buy one for herself and for her daughter, take her daughter to lunch, and still walk away spending less than some other very popular bags!   BONARIA - $1,190.00 Minimal hardware make this cooler than any logo covered bag on the market.    If you can find one - get in on the chicest customer you have - she ( or her daughter) will thank you when it has become her favorite bag!

The perfect shoe for a super cute freshman or a sexy senior is the new FEDORA  aka the Audrey Spectator.  This ballet flat with a kick is the perfect shoe to run to class in or grab a coffee.   Paired with a pair of skinny ACNE jeans and big oversized Stella McCartney cardigan - she will be styled somewhere between Ashley Olsen & Coco Chanel - PERFECT!   Another great option is the Fall plaid printed leather VARINA.   (What a great way for mom to feel nostalgic by buying her little princess a pair to go off to college with!  Hope you are diaing the phone right now!!)

When it's time to get serious and get dressed, Ferragamo Fall 2010 has just what she needs for a night on the town or that Sorority formal!   Keep it simple and clean with evening clutch - CALLIOPE - neutral metallics are the new black and the understated knot detail make this a sexy clutch with a gown, jeans, or that little black dress.   The perfect shoe to totally make her friends jealous and Mr. Right take notice - FIORDALISO is a killer!   Make her life easier by giving her the option to have this sexy duo in her wardrobe. 

I think that will do for first semester - class dismissed!!

LEGACY OF LUXURY

Greta Garbo was a Hollywood sensation that took the world by storm.   The legendary actress was nominated for an Academy Award four times and given the golden statue in 1954 for her "unforgettable performances".   Also in 1954 the Guinness Book of World Records named her "The most beautiful woman that ever lived".    What more can you say?   Garbo turned to Ferragamo early in her career.  First visiting Ferragamo's Hollywood Boot Shop in L.A. in 1927,  Garbo would have shoes made by the master shoemaker for decades.   Years later the actress would cause a sensation when she would make a special trip to Saks 5th Avenue in New York to buy the latest Ferragamo designs.  

To honor the legacy of Greta Garbo, the Museo Ferragamo in Florence has mounted an exhibit showcasing her style and the influence she had on how women dress.  Garbo was dubbed "the first modern woman" by the media of the 30's.    Due to overwhelming response, the Garbo exhibit has just been extended at the Museo Ferragamo through October 10, 2010.   Suggest  that your clients visiting Europe this summer see the exhibit.  It is sure to be a highlight of their holiday - and a wonderful way to keep Ferragamo in mind when she is planning her fall wardrobe.   For more information - I urge you to visit the museum website www.MuseoFerragamo.it 

FERRAGAMO TIME

FERRAGAMO MUSEUMIn 1995 the house of Ferragamo opened the Museo Ferragamo in Florence.   The museum showcases the legacy Salvatore had on the entire industry of designer shoes.   The Ferragamo family has made a commitment to keep the museum relevant as a global destination.  The seasonal exhibits are referenced by tour groups and museum listings all over the world.   In 2010, the museum celebrates it's 15th anniversary with the spectacular Greta Garbo exhibition.

RUNWAY WORDS

The Ferragamo Fall runway featured the Fedora hat on key looks.  While the hat evokes images of menswear, the Fedora was actually first worn by women in the late 1800's.

The word fedora comes from the title of an 1882 play by famed playwright Victorien Sardou, written for actress Sarah Bernhardt.  Fedora was first performed in the U.S. in 1889. Bernhardt played Princess Fédora, the heroine of the play, and she wore a hat similar to what is now considered a fedora. The fedora became a female fashion which lasted into the early part of the twentieth century. When the fedora became a male fashion item, it was popular in cities for its stylishness, ability to protect the wearer's head from the wind and weather, and the fact that it could be rolled up when not in use.