Gianfranco Ferre Studio Taffeta Gown
View Similar Items
Gianfranco Ferre Studio Taffeta Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 60 in (152.4 cm)Marked Size: 6 (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 32 in (81.28 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: DSG_ON408 DSGON4081stDibs: LU1612887912
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.
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Mini Dress Made From Vintage 1990S Silk ToileBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Mini Dress Made From Vintage 1990S Silk Toile MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from around the glob...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- 1960S Orange & White Gold Lamé Silk Hand Embroidered Japanese With Birds PrintLocated in New York, NY1960S Orange & White Gold Lamé Silk Hand Embroidered Japanese With Birds Print KimonoCategory
1960s Japanese Robes
- 1940s Marge Riley Hand Embroidered Western SuitLocated in New York, NY1940s Marge Riley Hand Embroidered Western SuitCategory
1940s American Day Dresses
- 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Red & Yellow Poly/Lycra Jersey Iconic Novelty Marilyn MonrBy Gianni VersaceLocated in New York, NY1990S GIANNI VERSACE Red & Yellow Poly/Lycra Jersey Iconic Novelty Marilyn Monroe Print Dress StretchCategory
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- 1950S Metallic Golden Dragons Embroidered Red Chinese Opera KimonoRobeLocated in New York, NY1950S Metallic Golden Dragons Embroidered Red Chinese Opera KimonoRobeCategory
1950s Chinese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1950S HENRY ASH Buttercream Yellow Pleated Silk Mousseline Structured CocktailLocated in New York, NY1950S HENRY ASH Buttercream Yellow Pleated Silk Mousseline Structured Cocktail DressCategory
1950s British Day Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Ascot 40th Anniversary Gown S/S 2008 Sz 2By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Full length orange floral silk evening gown with feminine flowing ruffles. The dress was on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary runway show. This is...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses
- Michael Hoban Tribal Leather Tank Dress, 1980sBy Michael HobanLocated in Scottsdale, AZChannel the best of the 1980s in our Michael Hoban leather tank dress! Solid black leather bust with tribal like patchwork pattern on the bottom in shades of orange, teal, blue and b...Category
1980s American Mini Dress
- Alaia Spring-Summer 1996 beaded lemon knit cocktail sequin dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAzzedine Alaia Spring-Summer 1996 beaded lemon knit cocktail sequin dressCategory
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970s Halston Inspired Multicolor Sequin GownLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the 1970s Halston Inspired Multicolor Sequin Gown – a stunning homage to the era of disco glamour and sophistication. This sleeveless gown is a work of art that seamlessl...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Cushnie Et Ochs Tangerine Orange Stretch Satin Jersey Mesh Paneled Gown SLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Ditch those traditional mundane dresses and go for a glam, statement-making style with this Cushnie Et Ochs gown. Made from fine quality materials, the gown has mesh panels on the si...Category
2010s American Evening Gowns
- PRADA orange silk ELEPHANT PRINT Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44By PradaLocated in Zürich, CHPrada SS'17 elephants tent dress in orange, purple, pink, and white silk (100%). With pleats from the right shoulder, drawstring around the hemline and zipper slits on the sides that...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses