Maserati have chosen Ferragamo, a world leader in the production of luxury accessories, to interpret the class of the new GranTurismo sports car, with a dedicated five-piece luggage set which has been unveiled along with the new Trident in Geneva.

"Perfect for him or her in any travel situation, the five-piece luggage set made from exclusive high-quality materials gives you total freedom and versatility on the move: a large case, a weekend bag, beauty case, suit holder and dual-function shoe case with removable divider," say Maserati. "A sophisticated design inspired by the contours of the new GranTurismo radiator grille, in a set that will adapt to even the most individual style. This made to order set can be customized in two different materials and four different colours," the Modenese carmaker adds.

Salvatore Ferragamo Group

Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the world s most important and best known Made in Italy luxury brands. It stands for consolidated craftsmanship and creative innovation two factors of excellence identifying the brand which have developed considerably over the years but always in perfect keeping with their origins.

Originally founded 1927 and achieving fame as a shoemaker, Salvatore Ferragamo is now one of the world's leading designers, producers and distributors of luxury shoes, leather goods, accessories, fragrances and apparel for men and women. The Group is wholly owned by the Ferragamo family and controlled by Salvatore Ferragamo Italia S.p.A. Its President is Wanda Ferragamo, widow of the founder, and its chief executive officer is Ferruccio Ferragamo, their eldest son.

Salvatore Ferragamo's constant aim is to increase the knowledge of its distinguishing codes and consolidate brand awareness. In the best traditions of the brand, the Company maintains the high quality of its products by investing in research, production, innovation and new technology. Investments in the efficiency of its distribution structure and the quality-oriented expansion of its retail network in strategic new markets have upgraded the Company s global presence with a network consisting of more than 450 stores in over 55 countries. Its ongoing success is the result of the constant commitment of over 2,000 people. Quality, contemporary elegance and innovation are the distinguishing features of every Salvatore Ferragamo product and together with its craftwork traditions, are what gives the brand its ultimate worth and universally recognized authenticity.

Salvatore Ferragamo has many of the characteristics that explain the Made in Italy success story, such as top quality materials and processes, imagination, colour and design, the latter being both creative development and application of know-how rooted in a long history of craftsmanship and cultural sensibility. Footwear, handbags and small leather goods, scarves and ties, men's and women's ready to wear, bijoux, watches, fragrances and eyewear are the products created and marketed by Salvatore Ferragamo. From design to production, the entire process is carried out in Italy. Everything labelled by Salvatore Ferragamo except for its eyewear which is made under license by Luxottica is produced in Italy and comes straight from the parent company that controls all the Group s production operations. The Group has manufacturing partners in Italy, many of which have worked exclusively for Salvatore Ferragamo for years. All finished products come back to Florence for final quality control testing prior to shipment to the various markets, so the Company is the hub of a complex and exclusively Italian, production network. In particular, it works with the main industrial districts providing high-level know-how and specializations.

Leather is supremely important, its role being one of great versatility, playing with colours, details and widely differing hides, and covering various product categories, of which footwear forms the core business. The objective is to develop products that are always original and which express a concept of contemporary elegance in which the brand s uniquely distinctive elements speak about the personality of the people wearing them. Functionality in no way excludes the creation of evocative atmospheres or the preciousness of products that become collectors pieces.

The Group also owns Ferragamo Parfums S.p.a., set up in 2001 with a mission to become a leading name in select perfumery. The company guarantees the Ferragamo Group total control over all the business operations from product development to distribution.
 

Incanto, Incanto pour Homme and Incanto Dream are the most recent new fragrances, of this business which are distributed through over 7,500 doors.

Among its strategic partnerships, one of special importance is with Luxottica. Since 1998, the Salvatore Ferragamo Group has been presenting two men's and women's collections of sun and optical glasses under the Salvatore Ferragamo label, designed in-house and produced and marketed under license worldwide by Luxottica, the world's biggest maker of high-quality eyewear. The creativity colours, shapes and new materials is all Ferragamo, while the manufacturing is provided by Luxottica. Distribution is highly selective, being limited to proprietary points of sale and select opticians that satisfy Ferragamo s stringent quality requirements.

Salvatore Ferragamo products are sold world-wide through over 450 personalised points of sale, of which 221 are directly operated, all in high prestige locations in city centres and tourist resorts. The Company has also created a network of strategic relationships with influential commercial partners that guarantee the presence of Salvatore Ferragamo products in the most prestigious wholesale accounts.

Since the beginning of the Nineties, Salvatore Ferragamo has been building a robust, directly controlled, highly efficient distribution network. Over the years the Company has invested constantly in the development, control and upgrading of this network, which now embraces over 55 countries. Direct control of distribution makes it possible to ensure the right image of the brand is conveyed and successfully leverage customer fidelity earned by guaranteeing excellent service standards at all times. The retail channel is decisive for the Group s growth, enabling economic targets to be reconciled with positioning decisions by effectively supporting both the development of the markets and the image, by means of collections with specific creative value.

The Group's market strategy is to adapt to local characteristics and conditions. In Europe, the USA and Japan, Salvatore Ferragamo has pursued a policy of building and consolidating its own retail network, whereas in South East Asia and China its policy is to form long-term partnerships with selected, qualified local players. Joint venture distribution companies ensure the Company optimum understanding of local markets on one hand and full assimilation of the brand values by partners on the other.

In addition to its historical Florence flagship store in Palazzo Spini Feroni, Salvatore Ferragamo has 2 flagship stores in Milan, 2 in Rome and another 14 stores in prestige high-streets in Naples, Genoa, Turin, Capri, Portofino and Venice. In Europe it has 58 directly controlled stores, including a flagship in Paris s Avenue Montaigne and one in London s Old Bond Street. In France, Germany, the UK and Spain the brand is to be found in prestige locations in major cities, as well as in Brussels, Montecarlo, Vienna and Amsterdam.

In North America Salvatore Ferragamo operates throughout the territory from Canada to Hawaii, with 25 directly controlled points of sale. Of particular note the flagship stores in New York (Fifth Avenue), Beverly Hills and Honolulu. In addition to its free-standing stores, there are many shop-in-shops and corners in top American department stores. Central and South America Salvatore Ferragamo recently extended its direct control in Central and South America by setting up Ferragamo Mexico, which directly handles 10 points of sale in the country. It also has a select distribution circuit in numerous countries, from Venezuela to Brazil and Columbia.

In Japan Salvatore Ferragamo has had directly controlled operations in the country since the early 70s and can now count on a distribution network of 64 directly controlled points of sale. It has two flagship stores, one in Tokyo, in the Ginza district, and the new flagship in Osaka, opened in October 2004. Through its Hong Kong headquarters, Salvatore Ferragamo controls its distribution operations in the following nine countries in Asia and Oceania: Hong Kong (flagship in Canton Road), Taiwan, China (flagship in Shanghai), Korea (flagship in Seoul), Singapore (flagship in Paragon), Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia - totalling 64 directly controlled stores.