R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : The Shoe Fits . . . : Opening of Ferragamo Store in South Coast Plaza Is a Hit; 500 Ogle Wares at a Party Honoring Angelitos de Oro
Salvatore Ferragamo celebrated its grand opening at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Tuesday amid fanfare and hoopla more befitting the arrival of royalty than a shoe store.
About 500 guests crowded into the brightly lit, 5,600-square-foot store to get their first look at Ferragamo’s sherbet-colored handbags, leather trench coats, elegant pumps and other luxury goods before heading to a nearby tent for an Italian buffet and fashion show of the Ferragamo spring collection. The gala was held in honor of the 35th anniversary of Angelitos de Oro, the auxiliary of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County.
Stepping Into Orange County
Billed as “An Evening in Tuscany,” the event began with guests ogling the boutique’s gleaming black lacquer and beige interior, with its marble flooring imported from Tuscany, shelves covered in beige grosgrain and black fixtures. Party-goers who didn’t want to squeeze inside the store mingled outside, admiring the small Italian gardens planted in each store window.
“We’re ecstatic so many people came, especially with this rain,” said Cecilia Nott, who co-chaired the event with Barbara Carr.
The South Coast Plaza store is the seventh Salvatore Ferragamo to open in North America. Massimo Ferragamo, president of the company’s North American operations and son of the late Salvatore, surveyed the surroundings with his wife, Chiara.
“This is how we wanted the store to look,” he said. “I love the lights, the lacquered wood, the grosgrain. It turned out luminous.”
Ferragamo said he’s happy with his new South Coast Plaza location, where he has Tiffany & Co. and Chanel as neighbors.
“We spent several years looking at South Coast Plaza,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better place in America for shopping. It has everything.”
His father, Salvatore, opened his first shoe store in Hollywood in 1923, eventually building a star-studded clientele that included Greta Garbo, Ava Gardner and Audrey Hepburn. After his death in 1960, control of his company passed to his widow, Wanda, and six children, who added clothing and accessories for men and women to the company’s offerings. The company is based in Florence, but Massimo lives in New York.
Surveying the well-dressed Orange County crowd, most of whom turned out in elegant suits for the occasion, Ferragamo said, “Obviously, they know how to dress up. They have a definite feel for style.”
A Rainy Night in Tuscany
After touring the store, guests made their way to an outdoor tent--sheltered from heavy rains each step of the way by an overhead canopy. Inside, four buffet stations were decorated with framed scenes inspired by the Ferragamos’ estate in Tuscany.
There were small lemon trees, cypress and towering floral arrangements of geraniums and other greenery set before scenes of a blue, cloud-filled sky--a sunny contrast to the rain outside.
Los Angeles caterer La Cuisine served up Tuscan country specialties--risotto with wild mushrooms, roast suckling pig, beef stew and polenta with marinara sauce. Many guests dined while standing with plate in hand, as there was not enough seating to accommodate everyone.
While they ate, they watched models (at least one Kate Moss look-alike) parade down a gleaming black runway in Ferragamo fashions, including trench-style jackets in fruity hues, crocheted dresses and crop tops.
“This is a gift for Angelitos from the Ferragamo family,” said Carol Porter, president of Angelitos, who attended with husband Brad. “It’s a great anniversary celebration, and we were very flattered to be chosen” as honorees.
Among the guests were Ronnie and Byron Allumbaugh, Arden Flamson, Don and Janet Ayres, Catherine Thyen, Mary Jean Simpkins, Henry and Renee Segerstrom, Marcia and John Cashion, Louise and Kay Ewing, Tina Schafnitz, Bill and Jean Wenke, Sandi Sewell, Billur Wallerich, Trish and John O’Donnell, Maria Crutcher and John and Susan Kensey.
