1990s Gianfranco Ferre Ecru French Lace and Horsehair Braid Strapless Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 2-4 (US)
- Style:Gala (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU503503923
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Incredible 1940s Nylon Jersey Swing Dress In A Spectacular Chartreuse and FloralLocated in Gresham, ORAn incredible 1940s iconic swing style dress with uber 1940s styling details: square-cut neckline that begs for some coordinating dress clips, high structured shoulder pads for that ...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Imperial Wool Knit Striped Sequin Cocktail Dress in Easter PastelsLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Imperial pale pink wool knit striped sequin cocktail dress in Easter pastels with zippered cuffs and back.Category
1960s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Pauline Trigere Marbleized Silk Print GownBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Gresham, ORA wonderful design by Pauline Trigere in a marbleized silk charmeuse print with a low back and criss cross strap design. Features include quilted puff shoulders and tapered sleeves. ...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche Red Iridescent Pouf DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche red iridescent sharkskin silk and acetate bubble dress with voluminous skirt and large bow at front. Scoop Ballet-style neckline and fitted lon...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- James Galanos Early 50s Cocktail Dress in Wool and Silk ChiffonBy James GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORA gorgeous very early example of James Galanos' fine work. Label style indicates it was made between '51 and '55. Very simple but extremely structured wool strapless bodice and volu...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960 Harold Levine Olive Silk Satin & Peach Silk Chiffon Empire Corset GownBy Harold LevineLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Harold Levine Empire-waist olive green silk satin bodice gown with peach silk chiffon flowing skirt. Inner corset structure in bodice. Velvet ribbon straps added but could poss...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Bird Tropical Feather Electrical Mandala Runway DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior VINTAGE Bird Tropical Feather Mandala Electrical Print Bodycon Bustier Rare Collector Pencil Dress Black and cream electrical print bodycon dress from Je...Category
1990s French Mini Dress
- Extremely Rare Mariano Fortuny Cotton DelphosBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis extraordinarily rare dress is made of finely pleated white cotton. Few cotton pleated Fortuny dresses have been documented and survived.
Named after a Greek clas...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Rare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set S/S 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITRare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set Dress + top S/S 1997 - NO RETURNSCategory
1990s Italian Summer Dresses
- Blumarine tulle dress embroidered with beads and crystalsBy BlumarineLocated in Rubiera, REBlumarine tulle dress embroidered entirely by hand, with beads and crystals in an intertwined design of camellias, leaf shoots and ramages. Transparent with champagne silk lining. De...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- ROBERTO CAVALLI long dressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Rubiera, REROBERTO CAVALLI Long dress, black background, floral pattern, thin straps. Deep neckline on the back. 90% polyamide/nylon 10% Elastane/Spandex SIZE L Made...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Late 60s vintage Maggy Rouff long trapeze dressBy Maggy RouffLocated in L'ESCALA, ESRare and beautiful vintage long dress from the late 60s early 70s by Maggy Rouff. Orange, white and green chevron patterns on a frog green backgroun...Category
1960s French Maxi Dress