The singular Ferragamo style

One of the hottest summer collections this year hits Manila tomorrow when the Sal-vatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2005 collection is presented at a gala invitational at the Harbor Garden by the Manila Bay, the Westin Philippine Plaza’s new tented garden venue.

Ferragamo’s impeccable and inimitable style finds expression this time around in visions of escapades on the Mediterranean coast. "Our heads filled with visions of clear turquoise seascapes, brilliant sunny beaches and romantic visions of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Riviera," goes the designer notes. The photos on this spread are like postcards of this dream vacation.

Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the most respected luxury fashion houses around today. And it is a reputation justly earned, for the company still adheres to the strict and exacting standards of its founder with regards to quality materials and craftsmanship. Perfect hides, the finest silks, the softest fabrics and the most distinctive prints are hallmarks of Salvatore Ferragamo. The artisan approach to the manufacturing process that necessitates their "Made in Italy, exclusively" dictum rules out manufacturing licensing in cheap-labor factories overseas. This also greatly minimizes the proliferation of flea market knock-offs.

The marketing of Ferragamo products is an equally exacting endeavor. Over 400 personalized shops worldwide–half of them directly controlled by the mother company–carry products ranging from men’s and women’s footwear, bags and small leather goods, accessories, ties and men’s and women’s ready-to-wear.

In addition, Ferragamo has strictly controlled strategic partnerships for a line of perfumes (which have won numerous fragrance awards) and a line of high quality eyewear. The company also owns fashion brand Emmanuel Ungaro.

Consolidated earnings for the Salvatore Ferragamo group, wholly owned by the Ferragamo family, was listed at 583.8 million euros, of which 28 percent comes from its most famous line of women’s footwear and 26 percent from bags and small leather goods. Heading the group is Wanda Ferragamo, widow of founder Salvatore (who died in 1960); eldest son Ferruccio is chief executive officer. It is still very much a family affair, with Salvatore and Wanda’s five surviving children (eldest daughter Fiamma, who in 1978 designed the symbolic Vara shoe with its gros-grain bow which is still in production today, died in 1998) and three grandchildren occupying various positions in the different companies of the group.

This exclusive Manila show is presented by the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) through its indefatigable president Zenaida Tantoco, whose Store Specialists Inc. is the Philippine representative of Salvatore Ferragamo. The PIA endowment fund is the show’s beneficiary, which also has Globe Platinum as sponsor.

The Philippine Italian Association, formed in 1962 by reciprocal ambassadors Proceso Sebastian and Eugenio Rubino to "encourage, develop, promote and nurture friendship and understanding between Filipinos and Italians", fosters bilateral exchanges through numerous initiatives, from creating social networks to developing cultural, educational and scientific programs and exchanges such as Italian language courses, seminars, art exhibits, fashion shows, film showings, concerts and similar activities.

Ferragamo grandson James, who is the Women’s Leather Product director and in charge of Corporate Sales Services, is the show’s guest of honor. The collection has previously been shown in Milan, London and Paris. – Dina Sta. Maria