Gianfranco Ferré

Gianfranco Ferré was born in Legnano on August 15, 1944. He went to high school in Legnano and graduated with a degree in architecture. His first job was in the design studio of a furniture company. He loved to travel and when he made some special chains for a girl friend that were noticed by the owners of a boutique in Portofino, he found himself designing accessories.

In 1972 he went to work for a manufacturer of raincoats in Genoa which permitted him to travel all over the world, and in l978 he launched the first collection of Ferré ready-to-wear for women, which was followed the same year by a more sporty line, Oaks by Ferré. Almost immediately his clothes had a distinctive look, with simple lines making a strong, bold statement, looking especially good on a tall, intellectual woman. The important dressmaker white blouse with original touches soon became a Ferré trademark. Ferre's first perfume for women appeared in 1984, followed by the men's fragrance in 1986.

Ferré's clothes were especially popular with American women looking for an elegant, sophisticated alternative to the cookie-cutter look of "power dressing." Ferré's suits and pants suits and distinctive accessories were snapped up by executives. For evening Ferré brought back the important ball gown, designed to make a grand enterance, with important skirts supportd by layers of crinolines.

The first high fashion collection, rich and opulent, designed by Gianfranco Ferre was presented with great success in Rome in 1986 and was received with enthusiasm by press and buyers. Not surprisingly, when the French House of Dior launched a serach for a designer to replace Marc Bohan, the choice eventually settled on Ferré. The announcement was made in May of 1989. Many in the fashion world were shocked that the chauvinistic French had decided to put the prestigious French House of Dior in the hands of an Italian, but Ferré was a happy solution, and he was immediately awared with the prestigious "Golden Needle." He has managed to capture the traditional Dior spirit and interpret it in a modern, fresh manner, while retaining the elegance and attention to details that defines high fashion.

Ferré has a great passion for travel, but he also enjoys relaxing at his lakeside house at Lake Maggiore not far from Milan.