Gianfranco Ferre - the Italian designer dies at 62

Gianfranco Ferre has passed away at the age of 62 having suffered a brain hemorrhage. The designer died in Hospital in Milan on Sunday the 17th June 2007. No details have been released as yet regarding the funeral arrangements or the scheduled menswear shows, which were due to take place next week.

The designer was born in Legnano near Milan on 15th August 1944. He studied at Politecnico di Milano and left with a degree in architecture in 1969. Ferre began his career in fashion designing jewellery and accessories before founding his own label in 1974, calling it Baila. The Gianfranco Ferre Label followed in 1978 and his first fragrance, Gianfranco Ferre, a female fragrance was launched in 1984. It wasn't long before this was joined by Gianfranco Ferre for Man in 1986 and a further twelve fragrances were released over the next twenty-one years.

As well as achieving world renown with the strong lines and structured tailoring of his own label suits and shirts, the designer also caused a furore by becoming the artistic director at French label Dior in 1989, a position he would hold until 1996. His work at both labels won him a stellar client list that included Princess Diana, Sharon Stone, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor.

Gianfranco Ferre is survived by his brother and sister-in-law and cousin, Rita Airaghi, who worked alongside him for many years as his communications director.