Gianfranco Ferre Navy & Gold Chiffon Caftan Shirt Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Style:1990'S (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4516104312
Gianfranco Ferré
Remembered fondly with a nod to his architecture education as the “Frank Lloyd Wright of Italian Fashion” and the “Architect of Fashion,” Milanese designer Gianfranco Ferré spent a lifetime creating handbags, dresses, jackets and other garments and accessories that were defined by meticulous tailoring and crisp geometry. Designing the iconic Lady Dior handbag after being named artistic director at Dior during the late 1980s is only one of Ferré’s impressive achievements in the fashion industry.
Ferré was born in Legnano and was raised by his mother and two aunts. He studied architecture at Milan Polytechnic but had a love for fashion, and made belts and other items for female friends in his classes. He graduated in 1969.
Ferré’s accessories caught the eye of Rosy Biffi, who operated boutiques in Milan with her sister, Adele. He was encouraged by Biffi to create clothing, and soon began creating jewelry and accessories for Christiane Bailly and Walter Albini. The latter is an unsung hero of 20th-century fashion, while Bailly was part of a small group of prominent young stylistes who helped build a sterling reputation for French ready-to-wear fashion during the 1960s. Ferré’s work was photographed by Italian Vogue, and he secured commissions from the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Elio Fiorucci.
Ferré appreciated other cultures and drew inspiration from his travels abroad. His most influential trip — a years-long stint in India — saw him bringing bright colors and patterns to his evening dresses and day dresses. While there he created a collection for the Genoa-based San Giorgio Impermeabili. Ferrè designed for brands such as Les Grenouilles and Baila, and met with Italian businessman and clothing manufacturer Franco Mattioli, who would become an important collaborator.
In 1978, Ferré and Mattioli became equal business partners in establishing Ferré’s own label, for which he designed women’s ready-to-wear and menswear collections in Milan. In 1983, he was named the first professor of fashion at the Domus Academy.
While teaching, Ferré won the Occhio d’Oro — Italy’s award for best fashion designer — six times. In 1986, he introduced his first women’s fragrance, his first couture and fur collections, and a new line called Studio 00l. A few years later, Bernard Arnault, owner of Christian Dior, appointed him artistic director.
It was unexpected for an Italian to be given the job at Dior — one of fashion’s most coveted roles — as that position traditionally went to French designers. There, as Marc Bohan’s successor, Ferré created luxurious and striking gowns that drew on his architecture studies in their sculptural forms while celebrating the long history of the legendary house. He revisited the nipped-waist silhouettes of Dior’s postwar years, and his work dazzled onlookers and exuded femininity. Ferré won the Dé d'Or prize in 1989 for his first collection at the label.
In the early 1990s, Ferré designed the Lady Dior handbag (prior to its 1995 debut, it was called the Chouchou). The boxy top-handled accessory soared to immense popularity after French first lady Bernadette Chirac gave a version in black leather to Diana, Princess of Wales. Each bag, which was eventually named for the Princess, is made from 130 pieces of leather and worked on by seven Dior craftsmen who spend at least eight hours perfecting it.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Gianfranco Ferré clothing, accessories and handbags and purses.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Balenciaga Futuristic Grey Leather & Print Dress 2010By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere grey asymmetrical slashed leather dress featuring white leather trim and insets, a multicolor marb...Category
2010s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Di Camerino Red & White Buckle Maxi DressBy Roberto Di CamerinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage red and white Roberta Di Camerino jersey maxi dress with sleeves and buckle. Dress features signature Roberta print and gold tone buttons. Roberta Di Camerino archive sample ...Category
1970s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Abstract Keyhole DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk summer dress with abstract print and keyhole cutout at the bodice. Yves S...Category
20th Century French Day Dresses
- Comme des Garcons Black & White Check Flat Ruffle Dress 2013By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAComme des Garcons black and white check flat day dress with black ruffle trim. Collection 2013.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
- Alaia 1986 Reissued Blue Denim Cutout DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia blue denim dress featuring a 1986 reissued design, cutout back, halter style neck, brown top stitching, and mini dre...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Walter Van Beirendonck Padded Batting Dress 1999Located in Los Angeles, CAVintage Wild and Lethal Trash white dress constructed with quilted batting fabric. Circa 1999. Please inquire for additional images.Category
1990s Belgian Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Diver Tropical Parrot Mesh Purple Ruffled Swimmers DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Vintage Soleil Diver 90's Jean Tropical Parrot Maxi Mesh Sheer Transparent Ruffled Dress Rare Late 90's Jean Paul Gaultier Parrot Print Maxi Mesh Dress. Totally ...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- CHANEL cream crochet silk suit jacket and dress FR 42 Resort 2017 Cuba 17CBy ChanelLocated in Rubiera, REChanel Resort 2017 Cuba Cream crochet silk suit jacket and dress Size Fr 42 Made in France Missing fond de robe (underdress) Flat measures: Jacket ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- rare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Soleil Vintage blue pink cityscape sheer wrap top SBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Soleil Vintage blue pink cityscape sheer wrap top S Reference: TGAS/C01039 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil Designer: Jean Paul G...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- 1980s Calvin Klein Gray Rayon Open Neck Maxi DressBy Calvin KleinLocated in Los Angeles, CACalvin Klein maxi dress Gray rayon Open v neck Shoulder pads Stretchy pull-on style Size 6 Made in USA *Please feel free to contact us with the "Ask the Seller" link should you...Category
1980s American Maxi Dresses
- Issey Miyake Sculptural Pleats Please Vintage Pleated Avant Garde Midi DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Sparks, NVStunning vintage Issey Miyake Pleats Please dress. Unlined with no closure (pulls on over the head). The bust measures 29-42" (un...Category
1990s Japanese Day Dresses
- rare vintage JUNYA WATANABE 1992 grey crinkled deconstructed pullover vestBy Junya WatanabeLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare vintage JUNYA WATANABE 1992 grey crinkled deconstructed pullover vest Reference: CRTI/A00315 Brand: Junya Watanabe Designer: Junya Watanabe Coll...Category
2010s Casual Dresses