Salvatore Ferragamo participates in the first ever Milan Digital Fashion Week, which replaces the actual physical shows, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday last week, the brand unveiled its new Men’s and Women’s Pre-Spring 2021 collection (also known as the Resort collection), in an emotive video which traces the brand’s roots and history, right up to present day, as well as the challenges and opportunities of the future.

This collection was made in exceptional times,  under exceptional conditions, through which we were all obliged to adapt and innovate. Even before lockdown began, I was planning to start with a consideration of mid-century Scandinavian furniture design. Later, that inspiration came into its own: functionalism inspired by nature featuring clean lines, organic materials, minimal construction and a relative lack of ornament were all design aspirations that were very much in sync with the limitations we were working under.

The result is a collection of which we are proud. We worked to turn the limitations of the period into positives by considering what is most essential ~ Paul Andrew, Creative Director ~

As a commitment to its efforts towards sustainability, by utilising upcycled leathers, cashmere and fabrics, recycled nylons and organic cottons. The season is a juxtaposition between clean, minimal lines, and softly tailored, neutrally-toned silhouettes, and the wilder, giraffe/leopard hybrid print of the season, which sought inspiration from the brand’s scarf archives, inspired from a design from the 1970s. This very same print is reflected in the perforation in tailoring and shirting; a nod to nature and functional design. Pops of orange are the vibrant accents on front-pleated skirts and dresses, and an irregularly striped, wide-cuffed knit caftan, and pull-over outerwear, in both the men’s and women’s collections, respectively.

On footwear, there are the Gancini slides in nappa and a new wedge espadrille with a woven, upholstery inspired sole, and a grained leather upper. Ferragamo also introduces a new almond-toe driving shoe  with a new double Gancini hardware on grosgrain, that’s foldable, so you can easily pack it away on your travels and road trips.The Viva which is now the new staple, available in even more colourways. The brand also welcomes a new block-heeled pull on boot featuring the new Gancini motif in black or sand-dune tones, in line with the neutral colour palette of the season, with totes, and Gancini-affixed clutches, also reflecting this seasonal palette in shades of brown and beige.

Images and video courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo