Gianfranco Ferré was one of the most important fashion designers in Italy, known for his refined and elegant creations. He was born on August 15, 1944 in Legnano, near Milan, and studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he graduated in 1969. However, he discovered his passion for fashion at an early age and began working as an accessories designer for various fashion houses.
He presented his first own collection in 1974 under the name Baila. It was inspired by Spanish culture and showed his sense of color and form. In the following years he developed his distinctive style, characterized by clean lines, geometric patterns and noble materials. He was called “the architect of fashion” because he constructed his clothes like buildings, giving them an architectural structure.
Ferré founded his own fashion company Gianfranco Ferré S.p.A. in 1978 and quickly became an international star of the fashion world. He showed his collections in Milan, Paris, New York and Tokyo and won numerous prizes and awards for his work. He was known, among other things, for his elegant evening gowns, for the use of fur in his collections, and for his variations on the plain white women’s blouse.
In 1989, he was appointed artistic director of Christian Dior, becoming the first Italian to hold this prestigious post. He designed the French fashion house’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections until 1996, bringing his own vision of elegance and sophistication. In doing so, he preserved the tradition and heritage of Dior, but also added modern elements.
In addition to being a fashion designer, Ferré was also an art lover and a patron of the arts. He collected works of art from different eras and cultures and supported young artists and designers. He established the Gianfranco Ferré Foundation in 1995, dedicated to promoting fashion and design culture. He was also a dedicated environmentalist and campaigned for the protection of animals.
Ferré died of a stroke in Milan on June 17, 2007, at the age of 62. He left a great legacy in the world of fashion and will be remembered as one of the most innovative and influential designers of his time.