French fashion house Dior reviled the release of the book Dior by Gianfranco Ferre, featuring images by fashion photographer Laziz Hamani and text by the journalist Alexander Fury. This is the fourth volume in an unprecedented series of books dedicated to each of the Dior‘s Creative Directors, it explores work of Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré, who worked as brand’s creative director from 1989 to 1996. Book is published by Assouline, available from December 15th in Europe, and from January 15th, 2019 in the United States.
“At the dawn of the 1990s, Gianfranco Ferré brought a sense of bold glamour, imbued with sumptuous materials and rich colors, in voluptuous and exuberant proportions, expressing a femininity that was both sophisticated and contemporary. It was powerful, too, reflecting the growing role exercised by women in society. Moreover, this successor to Yves Saint Laurent and the pairing of Marc Bohan and Frédéric Castet designed for an archetype: the woman of the moment, and not with specific customers in mind.
From his first haute couture collection, shown in 1989 in the garden of the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, up until 1996, Gianfranco Ferré drew on the House’s history and codes, which he infused with the spirit of the time. He revived a tradition inherited from the founding couturier, giving a name to each of his designs. As the House’s first foreign Creative Director, he was also the first to have never worked with Christian Dior, a man with whom he shared many similarities, such as his passion for the mix of masculine and feminine, as well as the color red, flowers and gardens, music and opera.“
Forcément trench coat in white gazar with wide black patent leather belt over a dress in white shantung, haute couture Spring-Summer 1991, Rendez-vous d’Amour.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Venise, Venise short dress embroidered with silver beads, strass, sequins, and paillettes, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1991, Autumn Splendours.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Suit in black gabardine with turned-back sleeves, large bow at the neck, and detachable cuffs in black organza with white polka dots. Special creation inspired by the Walt suit, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1989, Ascot–Cecil Beaton, worn by Sophia Loren in the Robert Altman film Prêt-à-Porter, 1994.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photo © Laziz Hamani
Floridante sheath dress in bright yellow embroidered lace, haute couture Spring-Summer 1995, Extrême…
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photo © Laziz Hamani
Niué ensemble consisting of a long coat with train effect in white satin organza, the interior painted with a floral motif, and a long strapless embroidered dress, haute couture Spring-Summer 1995, Extrême…
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Corps de Feu suit in red python painted with a harlequin pattern, with a kimono-sleeve jacket and a blouse embroidered in a red-and-black harlequin pattern, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1995, Tribute to Paul Cézanne.
Musée Christian Dior collection, Granville. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Flambeaux Terrestres blouse in floral-patterned lamé chiffon over iridescent burgundyand- green tulle, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1995, Tribute to Paul Cézanne.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Photo © Laziz Hamani
Shalimar long dress in black chiffon embroidered with gold lace, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1996, Indian Passion. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Photo © Laziz Hamani
Delly suit in black silk crepe and organza embroidered with gold Mughal-style flowers, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1996, Indian Passion.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photo © Laziz Hamani
Elixir dress in fuchsia pleated tulle, the bustier embroidered in gold, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1996, Indian Passion.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photos © Laziz Haman
Lalita suit in slate grey wool, the cuffs trimmed with ostrich feathers, haute couture Autumn- Winter 1996, Indian Passion.
Musée Christian Dior collection, Granville. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Koh-I-Noor dress in peach pleated tulle and lace embroidered with arabesques in strass, crystals, and gold beads, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1996, Indian Passion.
Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photos © Laziz Hamani
Gianfranco Ferré photographed by Jeanloup Sieff for Elle US, February 1995 © Jeanloup Sieff
We love hearing from you, connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
