Former Christian Dior top designer Gianfranco Ferre died at 62

The man known as the “architect of fashion” Gianfranco Ferre died Sunday at the age of 62. On Friday Ferre was taken to a hospital in Milan, Italy after he suffered a brain hemorrhage. He died late Sunday night.

As word spread of Ferre’s death many top designers such as Giorgio Armani said they admired his work. "When I think of Gianfranco Ferre, the idea that comes immediately to mind is the dignity, the calm, the sense of responsibility that he brought to his work," Armani said.

Ferre began his career in fashion by designing jewelry and accessories. He then moved on to clothes where he earned the title of the “architect of fashion” because of his degree in architecture that inspired many of his designs.

In the mid-1970’s Ferre started his own company. He became a huge success when landed the position as the top designer for Christian Dior. Ferre worked at Dior until 1996 when he decided to go back to Milan to work in his own clothing collection.

Ferre’s style was worn by business women around the world because of the sleek style of his collection. The white blouse became his trademark.

His evening attire collection was made of dresses with large skirts. So large they were often supported with crinoline. He was passionate about traveling and different cultures. Many of his clothing designs reflected that.

Top designers sent their condolences as they admired Ferre for his work. "He was a great couturier who knew how to create an absolute chic with details that I will never get tired of looking at and that will remain in the history of fashion," said Donatella Versace. Versace described him as a man “from another time” that helped change the Italian fashion world forever.

Roberto Cavalli said Ferre represented "the highest level of style, of artisanship, of creativity. A true artist, pure, a beautiful person who will be missed by the whole fashion world.”

Although Ferre sold his company, Gianfranco Ferre, to It Holding in 2002 he continued on as the creative director. His new 2008 spring and summer collection is being presented Sunday.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.

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