ThE WaNtEd FaShIoNs....

BIOGRAPHY:

The Past and the Present
Fashion Designer Gianfranco Ferre was born on 15 August 1944 in Legnano, in northern Italy. He received a degree in architecture in 1969. Ferre began his fashion career in 1970 by designing accessories, then worked as a raincoat designer in 1972-74. He started his own company in 1974 (Baila-label) and launched his signature collection for women in 1978. His first men's collection appeared in 1982, followed in 1986 by his first couture collection in Rome.

Ferre became Stylistic Director of Christian Dior in Paris in 1989, when he was chosen by owner Bernard Arnault to replace Marc Bohan. In 1996, it was announced that Ferre would end his engagement with Dior with the Spring 1997 collection for the label.

His own label is more relaxed and practical than Dior, with functional pockets and no big hats.

Ferre appears to be extremely critical of trends and fashion gimmicks. He deals with his demanding schedule, being responsible for a French top fashion brand and his own Italian label by commuting between Milan and Paris in his private plane. Ferre has a lakeside home in beautiful Lake Maggiore, near Milan.
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Selected Products

* Forma Zero by GFF
* Oaks by Ferre, a sporty line for women
* Ferrejeans (for men and women)
* Studio .0001
* GFF, the bridge line of Ferre
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Selected Awards

* Occhio d'Oro Award (six times) for Best Italian Designer
* Gold Medal from the City of Milan
* Commendatore del Ordine decoration from the President of the Italian Republic
* De d'Or (Golden Thimble Award) for his first Dior haute couture collection (1989)

Performance
The company achieved total sales of 950 billion Lira ($589 million) in 1994, an increase of 15% over 1993, which had shown enjoyed a similar increase over 1992 sales. Ferre's 14 licences contributed 58% to total sales in 1994. In 1996, total sales were already at 1250 billion Lira ($811 million).

Exports
70% of Ferre sales are achieved in export, where the US appears to be the biggest market with growing importance. Italy still holds 20% of the sales, but the success of the Ferre Jeans business in the US seems to shift the focus here. The Studio .0001 by Ferre line, produced by Italian garment manufacturer Marzotto, is basically targeted at the US market.

Distribution
Ferre distributes in 17 exclusive boutiques worldwide (1994) and has over 250 sales points in total.
Address
Headquarters
Via della Spiga, 19
20121 Milan, Italy
Tel.: (+02) 784460
FAX.: (+02) 782007 Press Office
Rita Airaghi
Via Sant Andrea 18
20121 Milan, Italy
Tel.: (+02) 76021095
FAX.: (+02) 76003778
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Selected Boutiques
Milan Boutiques
Via della Spiga, 11
20121 Milan, Italy
Tel.: (+02) 794864 (women's)
Tel.: (+02) 76000385 (men's)
GFF:
Corso Venezia, 2
20121 Milan, Italy

London Boutique
84, Brompton Road
London SW3, Great Britain
Tel.: (+0171) 581 8736 New York Boutique
845 Madison Aveneue
New York, N.Y.10021-4908, U.S.A.
Tel.: (+212) 717-5430 Paris Boutique
25, rue Cambon
Paris, France

RUNWAY SHOWS
Gianfranco Ferre W