90s Gianfranco Ferre Navy Suede Knee High Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous! Navy suede knee high boots with contrasting navy leather detailing around the heel and toe giving off a sort of Edwardian vibe. There is laser cut out design on the toe th...
Circa 1990 Gianfranco Ferré Black Pony Hair Pumps with Metal Toe
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant black pumps by Gianfranco Ferré, crafted in pony hair leather with a sculptural silhouette.
Gianfranco Ferré Dark Brown Leather Ballet Flats. Size 39.5
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Somo (Santander), ES
Precious and well worked Gianfranco Ferré Dark Brown Leather Ballet Flats. They're in great conditions.
Gianfranco Ferre Silver Leather Wedge Sandals, EU 37.5
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Krakow, PL
Gianfranco Ferre Silver Beaded Wedge Sandals Sz.37.5 Very Good Condition Description: Authentic Gianfranco Ferre silver sandals featuring delicate bead embellishments. Crafted from g...
Gianfranco Ferré Gold Embossed Logo Tank Top - Size M
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Krakow, PL
Elevate your wardrobe with this elegant Gianfranco Ferré gold tank top! This stunning piece features the brand's signature embossed logo, adding a touch of luxury to any outfit. Th...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Heel Shoes
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré shoes. Multilateral toe with net and spotted calf hair toe.
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Lace-up Shoes
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black genuine leather Oxford lace-up shoes, smooth cap toe and round toe.
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Black Loafers
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black genuine leather loafers, with slighlty pointed toe.
GianFranco Ferre Black Ankle Booties
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
GianFranco Ferre Size 40 Black Patent Leather Mid Heel Ankle Booties With Side Zipper
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Espadrilles
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black leather espadrilles. Round toe model, embroidered logo and grosgrain ribbons to tie at the ankle. Years: 90s Made in Italy Size: 39 UE Insole length: 25,5 H...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Heel Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré white synthetic fabric boots. Pointed model, corset-style laces on the back and zip on the inside. The product has slight signs of wear on the fabric as shown in th...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black embossed leather boots. Model with almond toe, decorative metal eyelets and sculpted heel in wood and leather. Zip closure on the inside. The item shows some ...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Heeled Slippers
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré light brown wooden heeled slippers, with white canvas band, strap and metal buckle, white python effect printed genuine leather hems and insole. Rubber outer sole wi...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Crocodile Leather Loafers
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré brown crocodile leather loafers with square toe and rubber spikes sole. Please note that this item cannot be shipped outside the E.U. Years: 2000s Made in Italy ...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Red Leather Pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Crocodile-effect printed red genuine leather pumps featuring an embossed texture. A unique and eye-catching piece from Gianfranco Ferré with sculpted heel and almond toe. The item s...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Ankle Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage - ITALY Gianfranco Ferré blue leather ankle boots with python-effect leather inserts, side zip and medium sculpture heel. The product shows some signs of wear o...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Red Leather Pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Crocodile-effect printed red genuine leather pumps featuring an embossed texture. A unique and eye-catching piece from Gianfranco Ferré with sculpted heel and almond toe. The item s...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Ankle Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage - ITALY Gianfranco Ferré blue leather ankle boots with python-effect leather inserts, side zip and medium sculpture heel. The product shows some signs of wear o...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Leather Sandals
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré powder pink leather heeled sandals. Braided leather straps and back closure with bow. Years: 2000s Made in Italy Size: 40 EU Measurements Heel: 14,5 cm Plateau: 3...
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Straps Sandals
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black leather sandals. Model with intertwined straps, silver metal buckle and ankle closure. The item shows some signs of wear on the leather, as shown in the pictu...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Brown Chelsea Boots
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré Chelsea boot in brown textured rubber and constrasting bordeaux smooth genuine leather, featuring brown classic elastic inserts. New and never worn. Years: 2000s M...
1990s Gianfranco Ferré black leather sandals
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black leather sandals. Model with intertwined straps, silver metal buckle and ankle closure. The item shows some signs of wear on the leather, as shown in the pictu...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Prince of Wales Wool Pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré Prince of Wales grey wool pumps. Contrasting metallic grey leather toe cap with brown hem.
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Prince of Wales Wool Pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré Prince of Wales grey wool pumps. Contrasting metallic grey leather toe cap with brown hem.
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Vintage slingback pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré slingback pumps. Model in white and black wool with printed python leather insert. Elastic ankle strap. Size: 39 EU Heel height: 11,5 cm Insole: 27,5 cm Product c...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré Vintage slingback pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré slingback pumps. Model in white and black wool with printed python leather insert. Elastic ankle strap. Size: 39 EU Heel height: 11,5 cm Insole: 27,5 cm Product c...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré decolleté with brown satin tip
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré decolleté with brown satin tip. Ankle closure with straps and back zip. Size: 40 EU Heel height: 12 cm Insole length: 28 cm Product code: X0914 Notes: The item s...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré decolleté with brown satin tip
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré decolleté with brown satin tip. Ankle closure with straps and back zip. Size: 40 EU Heel height: 12 cm Insole length: 28 cm Product code: X0914 Notes: The item s...
2000s Gianfranco Ferré silver-tone leather pointed toe pumps
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré silver-tone leather pointed toe pumps.
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Brown Leather Straps Sandals
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Gianfranco Ferré black leather sandals. Model with intertwined straps, silver metal buckle and ankle closure. Size: 41 EU Heel height: 10 cm Plateau: 1 cm Insole: 26 cm Product co...
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.