Custom Design

Ferragamo is a brand we turn to for premium quality and luxury. For our trip to the Bahamas, Salvatore Ferragamo sent us this Resort bag to photograph. The white leather handbag featured brown trim along with tortoise shell closures. The bag itself has thick pebbled leather and a doctor bag top closure. The color combination was perfect against the crystal blue Carribean waters and lush greenery.

Available at Salvatore Ferragamo Boutiques Nationwide for $2550 or www.ferragamo.com.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Every time we talk about Salvatore Ferragamo we also talk about how much we love the brand. And with that we talk about the quality and elegance of their products. We may not cover Ferragamo as much as other designers on PurseBlog, but that does not reflect on lack of beauty, style, or craftsmanship.

Joining the growing list of designers to release iPad cases, Salvatore Ferragamo announces they too will offer a collection of iPad cases ranging in price from $290 to $390. To be honest, as much as I loved the Louis Vuitton iPad Case and Gucci iPad Case, the Ferragamo iPad Cases might be my favorite.

One of the major aesthetic reasons this iPad case is set apart from the rest is the leather strap and envelope like design. Don’t get me wrong, the simplicity of the LV and Gucci design were just fine, but I find something more luxurious about what Ferragamo is offering.

The brand is known for their attention to detail, and this case is no exception. The body is made with European farmed calfskin leather (or there is the version shown with beige canvas and brown leather trim). The case is very structured, to offer protection to the screen and shell of the iPad. The envelope closure utilizes a magnet. And the inside is lined with Alcantara, which will help prevent scratches and is one of the softest materials to touch. Color options will include black, mandarin, and moss green. These iPad cases will be available at Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques nationwide.

Which designer iPad case do you prefer so far?

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

When we covered this tote in yellow python back in March, what tripped up most people was the price – $4500 is a lot for a bag, whether or not it’s exotic. Since then, I’ve been on the lookout for a regular leather version, and lo and behold, the Salvatore Ferragamo Plume Patchwork Bag finally came along to grant my wish.

Even in a decidedly more pedestrian material, the design of this bag holds up to scrutiny. It’s a little bit left-of-center when you compare it to your average tote with an extra shoulder strap, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

I’m frankly surprised that I have anything positive to say about this bag, since normally any combination of the words “brown” and “patchwork” make me kind of itchy and uncomfortable. In this instance, though, they strike just the right note – the bags in this collection have all struck me as having a significant safari influence.

I don’t wear much brown (or any brown at all, really), but the milk chocolate color of this leather makes me sort of wish I did. It’s a perfect shade for classic brown lovers, and it makes this tote an unexpectedly timeless piece. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $1795.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Why so serious Salvatore Ferragamo?

I suppose my thinking of this bag as being too structured and too serious goes hand in hand with the fact that my job does not call for me to dress up in a skirt and jacket or anything formal. EVER. I think if someday I needed to put on a pant suit I would quit. Ok that is a lie, because I sort of adore pant suits. But there is something too proper, too structured, and too refined about the Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini Icona Vitello Tote for my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, the bag is gorgeous. It is just not for me. I love my laid back lifestyle, and when I say laid back, I mean laid back. The popularity of boyfriend jeans made my life better, and slouchy shoulder bags along with long strapped cross-body bags put a smile on my face. The most structured bags in my collection, other than clutches, are my Hermes Birkins. There is just not much need in my life for such a refined bag, which does not speak against the quality or beauty.

The grey version looks much more timeless and luxurious than the black version with grey handles. Actually I almost wonder if that is a coloring mistake on the website, because it seems rather odd (click on the black and tell me what you think). The body of the bag is extremely structured, very briefcase-like, very power-bag. The overall feeling is classic.

The hardware is Ferragamo classic and the look of the bag is classic. There are double top handles, a zipper and flap closure, and an outside snap pocket. For those of you who want this bag and want to carry it to work, you will most likely not be able to fit most laptops. The iPad is a different story however, as it will slide perfectly into this bag (dimensions are 12½”W X 9″H X 4½”D). Come to think of it, how perfectly fitting would it be for a professional to carry this bag and pull out her iPad and get to work. Good look, right? I can not complain about the price either, as it is very reasonable. Buy via Saks for $1,050.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Be still, my heart.

Although versions of that famous phrase appear in the works of both Homer and Shakespeare, I think that it is most usefully and accurately employed to describe my salivating, almost quivering reaction upon seeing the Salvatore Ferragamo Python Soft Sofia Shoulder Bag. To put it in more vernacular terms: holy crap, y’all. If a bag can be sexy, this bag is sexy. I want to settle down and buy a house with it – too bad its price would be a good start to a downpayment.

It’s just…beautiful. Elegant, simple, clean-lined. I’ve always loved the somewhat off-kilter structure of the Sofia bag’s gussets (they’re folded up at the bottom and affixed with a metal Ferragamo ring instead of neatly stitched), and rendering the shape in python only serves to up the wow-factor by several orders of magnitude.

I can only imagine how fragile snow-white python would be and how scared I would be to get it dirty, so this bag is likely not for the faint of heart or those whose existences find them sitting their bags on the ground from time to time. If you’re looking for a beautiful bag to carry very carefully, however, this is the one that I would suggest over all others that I’ve seen in the past few months. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $3391.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I’m really, really digging the Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2010 offerings so far. The brand has never been at the top of my list in the past, but the bags from their line that I’ve seen lately have just been so summery that it’s hard to ignore what they’ve got cookin’ in their Italian factories.

Among my favorite of the brand’s new looks is the Salvatore Ferragamo Python Fiammetta Shoulder Bag. If ever there was a color that’s more warm-weather friendly than yellow, I can’t think of what it is, and the python texture and wooden handle give the bag just a hint of safari flavor that plays so well when temperatures rise.

img src=”http://www.purseblog.com/images/2010/03/Salvatore-Ferragamo-Python-Fiammetta-Shoulder-Bag.jpg” alt=”” title=”Salvatore-Ferragamo-Python-Fiammetta-Shoulder-Bag” width=”420″ height=”304″ class=”aligncenter wp-image-22264″ /&gt

I’m a little undecided about this particular shade of yellow and how well it may or may not go with the wood handles, but that’s a somewhat limited critique for a bag that does a lot of things right. Indeed, the handles are one of my favorite things about the design – it may come with a long leather shoulder strap, but the inverted Ferragamo symbol, rendered in wood, is just too pretty not to use as the primary means of conveyance.

As far as bright yellow python goes, what is there to say about it that’s not obvious? We already know that it’s beautiful and luxurious. For those out there that might doubt the utility of a bag this color, I have a bright yellow Botkier bag that I use all the time – the shade is surprisingly versatile, and it always makes people want to see my bag up closer. When you add python and a wood handle to the mix, you’ve got a stunner that will have heads turning for sure. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $4579.

Original post by Amanda Mull

The Boston Bag shape is a highly used and coveted shape year after year. Gucci has made the term Boston Bag famous, but it is not just Gucci that designs a bag of this shape. And this Spring designers are implementing this easy day bag shape in various ways.

We simply do not talk about Salvatore Ferragamo enough on PurseBlog. But Ferragamo bags deserve more praise. I do not see them popping up on websites as often as I would like. Can the buyers change that, please? Ferragamo is known for high quality craftsmanship. The designs may fly too far under the radar for many though, which is why we don’t see more Ferragamo bags.

Right when I saw the Salvatore Ferragamo Mediterraeno Companion Bag I thought of two things: 1) This is a great price for a quality leather bag and 2) I wonder if Amanda will love or hate this red color. You see, Amanda is very picky about the color red on a handbag. She loves red, but not orangey-reds, and not many other reincarnations. She needs the perfect red. Does this Ferragamo bag hit the mark?

I don’t have much to say about the bag itself, as it does not need much explanation. The textured, pebbled calfskin leather adorns the outside of the bag while their is nylon inside lining. The silvertone hardware is Ferragamo signature, but is rather simple so it leaves us without much to say about it. There are double top handles with a 5″ drop and metal feet. Dimensions are 12½”W X 9½”H X 6½”D, which is similar in size to the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 (even a tad larger). I am most interested to hear what Amanda thinks about the color. And the price, well it is amazing for a full Italian leather bag. Buy via Saks for $850.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The more I see of the Fall/Winter 2010 shows, particularly the ones from Milan, the more I become certain that the fashion industry glitterati have clandestine meetings after the season has been presented to decide what the trends for the next season will be, just so everyone else is on the same page. That, or it’s secretly just one supergenius (or supercomputer?) behind every major collection, and that’s why everything from Gucci to Fendi to Ferragamo this season has been so cohesive – not just within each collection, but across much of what has been shown at Fashion Week as a whole.

So, this is what we know: the 60s and 70s are being brought back, this time in a conservative and subdued way to match the mood of the culture. Classic shapes, particularly in accessories, are as classic as they’ve ever been. Brown is officially a thing, as is suede. The look of sueded croc is also gaining favor, after being embraced for the past few season by the bag designers at YSL.

Ferragamo’s collection hit most of the high points of fall trendspotting, and the materials were lush and beautiful. A few of the shapes were too plain for me, but high points like asymmetrical croc clutches with tortoise shell closures made me forget all about them. That’s probably a good metaphor for how fall is shaping up, in fact – the key will be finding the bags that take tradition to the next level.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I need more Salvatore Ferragamo bags in my life. This is a brand that flies under the radar but produces bags that are drool-worthy time after time. This time we are mentioning a classic bag from Ferragamo that was seen on Jessica Simpson back in 2005 in bright green. An aside, but is it not hilarious to read a post from 2005 that is talking about Newlyweds? Time changes many times.

Onward. The Salvatore Ferragamo Safari Calfskin Shoulder Bag is lux, classic, and relatively affordable. I have this bag in white and I can tell you personally that it is a timeless design made with high quality materials. The calfskin is textured to give a sophisticated finish.

The design of this shoulder bag is truly gorgeous. Salvatore Ferragamo finds a way to have the design stand out without being over-the-top. If you have been looking for a classic black bag (or white), this should be put into your list of options. On the front the signature Gancio buckle grabs your attention. There are double shoulder straps at the top, interior zip and pouch pockets. Dimensions are spacious enough to carry daily, 22.4″W x 9.8″H x 2.8″D. A classic bag from an impeccable designer, two thumbs up in our book. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $1,290.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

After visiting multiple showrooms this past fall the Handbag Trends for Spring 2010 were clear. One of the biggest trends is perforated leather. We saw this being used by Rebecca Minkoff, previewed it with YSL, and Prada is implementing perforated leather for many of their bags.

For Spring 2010 expect to see perforated leather from Prada, to Jimmy Choo, to Burberry, to Bottega Veneta. Prada’s perforated leather has an extremely sporty vibe which is largely due in part to the shape of the bags they are using it on (note the Prada Roll Bag). While Prada’s look is very sporty, we have an array of designers using perforated leather in various ways to give the bags a fresh spring look.

One of my favorite from the bunch is the Bottega Veneta Woven-Trim Perforated Hobo, which features perforated ivory leather. From the look of this bag the perforated leather adds a detail that almost appears as if the bag is made of ostrich skin from afar. Buy via Neiman Marcus for $1980.

Jimmy Choo has really done a beautiful job with their perforated leather bags. We have already covered their Martha Perforated Clutch, which infuses perforated leather with smooth leather as well. Then they have the Bree Perforated Nappa Leather Tote along with the Fracine Perforated Leather wallet, both favorites of mine.

JC: Martha Clutch [$1175 via NAP] Bree Perforated Nappa Leather Tote [$1495 via Saks] Francine Wallet [$675 via NAP]

The type of perforation varies by designer. Some are uses larger holes while others are using more uniform small holes. There are also options for bags that only feature perforation in certain spots but not all over. When it comes down to it, adding a perforated leather bag to your collection may be trendy for Spring 2010, but if you choose wisely you may find a bag that works in your collection forever.

Other perforated leather bags include:

• Prada Saffiano Fori Tote [$1350 via Saks]
• Prada Perforated Leather Satchel [$1650 via Saks]
• Prada Perforated Leather Roll Bag [$1,295 via Saks]
• Fendi Selleria Perforated Satchel [$1800 via Saks]
• Burberry Perforated leather hobo bag [$1,195 via NAP]
• BCBGMAXAZRIA Raspberry Perforated Leather Chain Hobo [$238 via BlueFly]
• Chloe Ivory Perforated Leather Kerala Tote [$1,215 via BlueFly]
• Balenciaga Arena Giant Covered City [$1,795 via Barneys]
• Foley & Corinna Perforated Crossbody Shoulder Bag [$401 via Saks]

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil