Gianfranco Ferré 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.

Ferré 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.

Ferré 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.

Ferré's signature elegant, structured and feminine silhouettes had won him a client base which included Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, the Queen of Jordan, Paloma Picasso, Sophia Loren and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

• Born in Legnano, northern Italy, on August 15 1944

• Gianfranco Ferre graduated from Milan Polytechnic Institute with a degree in architecture in 1969, before heading off to India in search of adventure in 1973

• Ferré won the coveted L'Occhio d'Oro six times over the course of his career

• In 1989 he was made head of womenswear, couture and fur at Christian Dior. At the time, it was almost unheard of for a non-French designer to lead such a revered Parisian house

Skin, formerly of Skunk Anansie performed at the lavish after party following the Gianfranco Ferre autumn/winter 2007-8 show in Milan. Giorgio Armani remembered him as 'a man of dignity and calm, with a sense of responsibility which always accompanied him'.