1980s Ferre Navy Fuzzy Lurex Top and Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU22825314762
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: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1980s Maggie Reeves Demi Couture Taffeta Bustier, Skirt and Floral JacketBy Maggie ReevesLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s 3 pc ensemble by Canadian demi couture designer Maggie Reeves. Black silk taffeta bustier, taffeta skirt with multi colour layers and macrame floral multi colour jacket with bl...Category
1980s Canadian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1980s Bill Blass Off White Gown and Navy Lace Evening EnsembleBy Bill BlassLocated in Toronto, OntarioAbsolutely stunning 1980s Bill Blass two piece ensemble. The set features a simple and minimal long sleeve, crewneck off white silk gown with a breathtaking navy blue lace long unlined floor length coat. The navy contrasts so beautifully against the off white. The evening coat has a deep v neckline with a collar and a single snap button closure just under the bust. The overcoat has a slight A-line shape, and gently glides over the off white gown...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1970's Pauline Trigere Red Wool Gown & Coat EnsembleBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970's Pauline Trigere red knit jersey gown and jacket ensemble. Gown is empire waist with inverted pleats in the front. Skims the body beautifully, lined in red silk. The long line ...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1960s Marty Modell Yellow Crochet & Beaded Evening Gown and JacketBy Marty ModellLocated in Toronto, Ontario1960's gown and jacket ensemble by Marty Modell. Both gown and jacket have the most beautiful and delicate hand crochet fabric with white and yellow beading for detail over a cream c...Category
1960s Swiss Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Geoffrey Beene Grey Long Sleeve JumpsuitBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s wool jersey Geoffrey Beene grey long sleeve jumpsuit with black striped front panel detail. Round neckline, curved detail at the waist and s...Category
1980s American Jumpsuits
- 1980s Romeo Gigli Black Shirt and Skirt EnsembleBy Romeo GigliLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Romeo Gigli black natural cotton ensemble. Long tunic blouse with a knit collar and small grey mother of pearl buttons. Loose fit through body, but tapers towards hem. High wai...Category
1980s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana black 3-piece ensemble with ostrich feathers, A/W 1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Silk chiffon loose fitted blouse with ostrich feather trim on collar and cuffs (IT42-FR-38-UK10) - Black satin bra with lace trim and adjustable straps...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen black lace ruffled blouse and pants ensemble, ss 1999By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen black lace ruffled blouse and flared pants ensemble. Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood rope print knitted cowl-neck top and drape skirt set, ss 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood rayon-knit top and skirt 2-piece set ▪ Allover beige rope print ▪ Cowl-neck top ▪ Draped knee-length skirt with elasticated waistband ▪ Size Medium ▪ 100% Rayo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana tiger print and denim 3-piece skirt suit, fw 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana 3-piece skirt suit ▪ Fitted jacket in black denim with red contrast topstitch ▪ Bra-top with open back and tiger-print front with sequins ▪ Low-rise maxi skirt w...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns