Gianfranco Ferré or GFF for friends

Fashion History is full of emotions and Gianfranco Ferré has proved us that much! Also known as “the architect of fashion”, he was undeniably one of the best designers of the 20^th century.

Born in the town of Legnano in northern Italy in 1944, Gianfranco Ferré was initially heading towards becoming an architect as graduated as one in 1969. But he was rapidly attracted to the world of Fashion to which he then turned to for good.

His first designs were accessories and then rain coats; after that he founded his own designing company Baila and presented his first women’s collection in 1978 followed by a first men’s collection in 1982.

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In 1989 his unique talent enable him to join the famous Maison de Haute Couture Dior by becoming its Art Director for the following 8 years. He was awarded a Dé d’Or (Golden thimble) the high distinction in Haute Couture for his first collection produced with a Dior label.

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Following his emotionally rich experience with the Maison Dior, Ferré decided to go back to the capitol of Italian Fashion in order to create his own collection for men and women, with a little more relaxed touch than those create with Dior. Ferré’s collections are sober and balanced but keep that Italian touch that he has so much faith in.

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Gianfranco Ferré had expressed his desire to see his own company be introduced onto the stock market. But the designer, whose beard and suits everyone could recognize, died of a brain haemorrhage in June 2007 at the age of 62

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As an art lover and collector GFF found his inspiration in the works of Gauguin or Warhol, creating unique and marginal pieces. As a perfectionist as well as a fabric- and colour-fanatic his works were first destined to women. He made himself a very select clientele amongst whom Sharon Stones, Sophia Loren, Kim Basinger, Paloma Picasso but also Queen Rania of Jordan Jordanie as well as Princess Diana.

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