MANY big brands often link up their marketing with the film industry, especially with movie stars. Salvatore Ferragamo is no exception.

For the recent Shanghai premiere of director Wong Kar-Wai's long-awaited movie 2046, the Italian fashion house invited Chinese movie actress Dong Jie to wear its latest design at the celebration party.

"For a long time, Salvatore Ferragamo has worked with the movie industry and film stars," said Ferruccio Ferragamo, president of this family house. "In the past decade, Asian movies have played an important role in the entertainment business."

Dong Jie and Zhang Ziyi from the Chinese mainland, and Tony Leung from Hong Kong were all invited to the headquarters of Ferragamo in Italy to have shoes custom-made.

At the party, nine top models in Shanghai showed the Ferragamo Winter 2004 collection designed by Graeme Black.

The designer also sent out coats that emphasized the fine tailoring that he has brought to the house. He showed his skill with pantsuits, culottes, pencil skirts and even a pony skin skirt teamed with a chiffon top. His attention to detail included a flower pattern worked in relief on a leather jacket.

The Ferragamo house is a multimillion-dollar family concern. Ferragamo is also known for printed scarves, soft cashmere shawls and elegant jewellery.