Gianfranco FERRE was a fashion designer also known as "the architect of fashion" for his background and his original attitude toward creating fashion design.

Born in Legnano, Italy, he received a degree in architecture in 1969 at the Politecnico Di Milano University. Ferré began his fashion career in 1970 by designing accessories, then worked as a raincoat designer in 1972-74. He started his own company Baila in 1974 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.

His own label is more relaxed and practical than Dior, with functional pockets and no big hats. Sophisticated white shirts have become the symbol of his personal signature in fashion design.