For spring/summer 2023, Ferragamo’s collection reminisced the Italian house’s humble beginnings. The show was British designer and creative director Maximilian Davis’ debut for the brand, and saw a resplendent tribute to its founder Salvatore Ferragamo. With the brand known for its prominent cultural impact on Tinseltown, the collection reflected a hint at this with ease and sensuality, reimagined for the present-day.
The pieces featured the blending of contemporary clarity and Florentine purity, with the use of delicate fabrics such as knits, silks and layered organza. A good curation of wardrobe essentials were presented, from tank tops to leggings. The eveningwear, though chic and alluring, carried a sense of insouciance. A monochromatic look in a new pantone red—marking a change in the house’s design codes and colour palette—was entirely beaded in crystals, paying homage to an iconic moment in 1959 when Ferragamo made a sparkling pair of red heels for Marilyn Monroe. Juxtaposing the classic elegance was a new-age boldness, as models paraded down the runway in glossy leathers and mini shorts that clung to the hips like second skin.
Robust tailoring, technical bodysuits and utilitarian field jackets from optic white to soothing beige proved a strong outing for the collection’s menswear offerings, with straps and cutouts driving home the message of passion and functionality. On the accessories front, the maison’s signature Gancini hardware was spotted on several of the bags, with the standout piece being a small clutch bag that featured a bracelet-like top handle.
In another edition of Vogue 10, Vogue Singapore has collaborated with Ferragamo in assembling a tight curation of this season’s must-haves. Below, editor-in-chief Desmond Lim shares his top 10 highlights, accompanied by exclusive styling tips:
1 / 10
Jacket, $4,590
“Crisp tailoring was a key trend for the spring/summer 2023 season, and streamlined pant suits were heavily featured on the runways, with Davis’ opening look for Ferragamo being a standout,” muses Lim. “It’s all about the details with minimal outfits–keep things interesting with a longer jacket or a full monochromatic look, right down to the tie. Beige has never looked better.”
Styling tip: “With its longer length, this jacket could easily double as a minidress. Pair it with a pair of nude heels to look taller and extra lean, and you have an outfit that would work on most body types and individuals of all heights.”
2 / 10
Wanda bag, $3,690
“Davis’ key objective upon his appointment at Ferragamo was to inject a sense of youthful exuberance and appeal while retaining the core values and signifiers of the storied house. One of the most noticeable changes: the reinvigoration of Ferrgamo’s signature red. Now a bright, fiery hue, the new Ferragamo red captured everyone’s attention as it blazed down the runway in the form of ready-to-wear pieces and highly covetable accessories,” says Lim. “This bag was a personal highlight from the collection. With its eye-catching colour and clever design with magnetic clasps, it is stylish and functional in equal measure. Definitely an It bag from the spring/summer 23 season!”
Styling tip: “Nothing pops like a splash of red on an all black outfit. Whether an LBD or a black top with tailored trousers, keep the outfit simple and let the bag speak for itself.”
3 / 10
Credit card holder, $1,750
“Functional and ornamental at the same time, this credit card holder can be worn around the wrist or carried by the handle as a mini bag or a clutch for the evening. This is a style that would easily appeal across ages,” explains Lim. “The beautiful orange dégradé bleeding into Ferragamo red also makes for an excellent conversation starter.”
Styling tip: “Match this credit card holder clutch hybrid with another dégradé piece from the collection such as the striking shirt dress below for an outfit that is effortless and bound to turn heads.”
4 / 10
Dress, $4,990
“A shirt dress makes for a surprisingly versatile wardrobe must-have, especially when it is as streamlined in design as this number from Ferragamo. The arresting sunrise dégradé colour and sheer fabrication allows the piece to hold its own, but is simple enough that this piece can be styled in a multitude of ways,” enthuses Lim.
Styling tip: “Consider wearing this dress buttoned at the navel only and paired with a pair of trousers in white or red or even baggy denim jeans for an unexpected, fashion forward look.”
5 / 10
Elina Heels, $1,950
“Your shoes will always make or break your outfit, and it’s hard to go wrong with a sculptural pair of heels like these,” declares Lim. “Featuring the Gancini logo as a heel, a simple strappy design and in this gorgeous new Ferragamo red, these heels pack a punch in every direction.”
Styling tip: “When your heels make this much of a statement, the rest of your outfit needs to be more pared down. Think: streamlined silhouettes and sleek finishes.”
6 / 10
Top, $3,750
“Perhaps one of the best encapsulations of Davis’ direction for Ferragamo,” says Lim. “This top combines the heritage of the house–as seen in the Gancini logo incorporated seamlessly and intelligently into the neckline–with the strict, clean lines that Davis is known for, creating a vision of womenswear that feels fiercely modern, while staying true to the codes of Ferragamo.”
Styling tip: “Ditch the gown for a much more modern iteration of evening wear with a twist on the two-piece suit for women–a sharply tailored sleeveless top with matching slim cut pants.”
7 / 10
Altaire heels, $1,590
“Strappy heels are great, but who really has the time to tie them up anymore?” questions Lim. “Ferragamo’s ingenious answer to this–elastic bands to create the strappy illusion while keeping this an easy pair of heels to put on. Just slip them on and you’re good to go.”
Styling tip: “Pair these heels with a tailored black maxi skirt to hit some of the key trends from the spring/summer 23 season without having to think too much about it.”
8 / 10
Prisma bag, $3,690
“One can never have too many black shoulder bags!” enthuses Lim. “With its chic, geometric shape and understated metal hardware details, this is the perfect bag to transition when you’re on the go during the day, to a night out with your girlfriends.”
Styling tip: “This bag is versatile and has enough edge that it could easily work with anything from a power suit to a flirty mini dress with sheer tights and heels.”
9 / 10
Hoodie, $4,950
“Davis updates a classic wardrobe staple–a hoodie–with this cool two-tone coloured fabric in Ferragamo red (no less) and black. The key point? An exaggerated keyhole detail in the front that unties into a deep V-neck. While many designers have toyed with new interpretations of masculine sexiness–think men in bandeau tops–this isn’t necessarily for everyone. Having said that, for those itching to explore this trend without looking too out there, this hoodie is an easy way to incorporate a more daring option into any man’s wardrobe without compromising on comfort. Literally.” declares Lim.
Styling tip: “This is a great piece to have, especially for the well seasoned traveller as it could easily work for most climates with clever layering. Wear it without anything under in a beach setting, or match it with your thermals in cooler temperatures.”
10 / 10
cut-out bag, $3,590
“A roomy tote or a crossbody bag is a must for me now,” confesses Lim. “With everyone returning to work daily, and travel becoming a regular occurrence, a big bag is the new essential. And the bigger the better. While this crossbody iteration of the cut-out bag was primarily carried by male models during Ferragamo’s spring/summer 23 collection, it makes for a perfect gender neutral option that would easily work for everyday life.”
Styling tip: “Elevate your casual airport look with this effortlessly stylish crossbody bag that is so large, it could easily function as a carryall. Added bonus–it keeps your hands free.”
