Gianfranco Ferre black & white silk polka-dot jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 46/Italy (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk chepe de chine
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120321247647
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Issey Miyake Signature Black HighNeck Double Zipper Deconstructed Sleeves TopBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYIssey Miyake wonderful signature black double zipper high neck zipper-front optional top or jacket accented with deconstructed sleeves measures 28 inches in length on the fron...Category
1990s Japanese Blouses and Tops
- Comme des Garcons 'Comme des Garcons' Charcoal Spring-Wool JacketBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in New York, NYComme des Garcons 'Comme des Garcons' charcoal spring wool velcose front closing tabs jacket/shirt is accented with domain sleeves and a mandarin collar. The sides has two sli...Category
1980s Japanese Shirts
- High-Collar Zippered Fur Vest Accented with Brown LeatherLocated in New York, NYHigh collar zippered front fur vest is accented with brown leather throughout. The high collar measures 4"; with two patch pockets in front. The fur vest is fully lined with ...Category
1990s Unknown Vests
- Bergdorf Goodman Black chiffon sequined tankLocated in New York, NYBergdorf Goodman feather-light black chiffon zipper tank top has micro sequins and the zipper is located on center back. The zipper fully opens at the bo...Category
1980s Tank Tops
- Yves Saint Laurent black Cashmere zipper sweaterBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent sweater has a high collar with the YSL logo on the zipper clasp. The front and also the back's length measures 20" (with the collar), neck-to-sleeve's cuff is 27",...Category
1980s Shirts
- Donna Karan Black Scottish Cashmere Deep V Cowl Neck PulloverBy Donna KaranLocated in New York, NYDonna Karan's wonderfully soft black Scottish cashmere pullover features a deep V front combined with a wonderful cowl neck collar which me...Category
1980s Hong Kong Pullovers
- Gianni Versace Jeans Couture 1995 Multicolor Berries Fruit Vest w Medusa ButtonsBy Versace Jeans Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Portland, ORThis is a unique cotton fruit printed denim vest with the Versace Jeans Couture label from 1995. The base color of this vest is black and has vertical stripes that feature multi colo...Category
1990s Italian Vests
- Early 1990s Gianni Versace Baroque Embossed Leather Vest with Ram ButtonsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a leather Gianni Versace vest with a western-style embossed print. This vest is the perfect intersection of style and sex, similar to the styl...Category
1990s Italian Vests
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Leather Sleeveless Top G LogoBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare leather tank top by Tom Ford for Gucci. This piece and features the classic Tom Ford 'G' medallion that was heavily featured in the ...Category
1990s Italian Tank Tops
- S/S 1993 Dolce & Gabbana Patchwork Button Up Bohemian VestBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a patchwork button-up vest from the Spring/Summer 1993 Dolce and Gabbana collection, designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. This vest features a number of pattern squares sewn together, creating a chic bohemian vest...Category
1990s Italian Shirts
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Chambray Iridescent Button Up Jacket TopBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a glamourous chambray button-up blouse designed by Donatella for the Gianni Versace Spring/Summer 2000 collection. Featuring jacket construction, this top has large irides...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- NWT F/W 2002 Dolce & Gabbana Multicolor Suede Butterfly Vest TopBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous color block Dolce and Gabbana suede butterfly vest. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this vest features multicolor ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shirts