South America old map by DouglasFernandesGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
One of Gianfranco Ferré's imaginative journeys led him to the countries of Latin America. The rich culture and nature of this continent fascinated him, inspiring several of his collections.
“Space of encounter and contradiction, Latin America offers a common battleground between the cultures of fear and the cultures of freedom... It comes from the past, feeds on the present, and projects as a need and hope towards the times to come... I believe that the true history of the indigenous people of Mexico also belongs to the son of an Italian immigrant who arrived thirty or forty years ago in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, or to the son of a Galician who arrived in Buenos Aires...”
Eduardo Galeano, 1981
Gianfranco Ferré, 1994Gianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"I love traveling, both in reality and through my imagination...
...Not just in everyday life, but also through books, movies, and even dreams and daydreams. These latter have been translated into entire collections, dedicated to Africa and the Amazon, where in truth I have never set foot."
Gianfranco Ferré
Amazonia rainforestGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
And so Ferré evoked the charm of tropical forests...
Gianfranco Ferré, Spring / Summer 1993 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"It’s as if the luxuriant splendor of the Amazon Rain Forest, with its fabulous fauna and flora, intermingled in our imagination with the ever tempting, passionate atmosphere of San Salvador de Bahia..."
Gianfranco Ferré
Women's RTW,
SS 2005
Landscape in Argentina by André Ulysses de SalisGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
...and boundless places...
“Among the scenes that are deeply etched in my mind, none surpass in sublimity the primeval forests of Brazil, untouched by human hands, where the forces of life are predominant, or those of Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia...” Charles Darwin, 1839
Gianfranco Ferré, Fall / Winter 2005 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"Argentina is, for me, the horizon of a femininity that lives and vibrates in the echoes of a bustling metropolis, as well as in the vast landscapes that seem endless, illuminated by the clear southern skies."
Gianfranco Ferré, 2006
Lupe Velez in "Mexican Spitfire", 1940 by Donaldson CollectionGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
...and the beauty and charm of women...
Gianfranco Ferré, Spring / Summer 2006 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"A femininity both passionate and reserved, sparking visions of Latin-American women, hermosas y preciosas…" from Lupe Velez to Dolores del Rio, from Gal Costa to Frida Kahlo.
Gianfranco Ferré
Women's RTW,
SS 2006
Man Controller of the Universe, 1934 by Diego RiveraGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
...and the colors and fantasies of the art world...
"My interest in figurative arts dates prior to my work. Let’s say it’s somewhat part of my roots, a natural extension of my upbringing, for I grew up in a family where a deep love and appreciation for things of beauty, for quality, for art, music and books were intrinsic."
Gianfranco Ferré
Gianfranco Ferré, Spring / Summer 2002 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"With the guru jacket pajama in Sierra Madre hues, Mexican caftans and robes (“chapans”) in kaleidoscopic patterns seemingly right out Diego Rivera murals casually thrown on top."
Gianfranco Ferré
Men's RTW,
SS 2002
Toquilla straw crafts by Situr NarinoGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
...and the lively variety of craftsmanship and materials..
“A handcrafted object stands as evidence. It is never made by chance. It is indicative of something or someone: an individual, a technique, a form, or a function, and usually simultaneously of several, if not all, of these characteristics.”
Jean Gabus, 1972
Gianfranco Ferré, Spring / Summer 1993 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"We go down the road of experimentation, making use of the most sophisticated processes, on the basis of a very close relationship of collaboration with the manufacturer, who places at my disposal his experience and skill rooted in craftsmanship."
Gianfranco Ferré, 2001
La guerra del fin del mondo, Mario Vargas Llosa / La casa de los espiritus, Isabel AllendeGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
...and of the magic and realism of literature.
“I am a woman and I am Latina. These are the elements that make my writing unique. These are the elements that give power to what I write.”
Sandra Cisneros
Gianfranco Ferré, Spring / Summer 2006 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"… Frivolity actually as a synonym for vivacity, joy, magic… for the enchanting opulence that I wished to have encompass the night especially. It is there in all the gold laces and in the tinkling cascades of glittery chains..."
Gianfranco Ferré
Women's RTW,
SS 2006
Tango dance by Marko ZirdumGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
A Milonga tune...
almost obsessively accompanied Ferré on a vacation, helping to create a special atmosphere that he later infused into his Fall/Winter 2005 collection.
Gianfranco Ferré, Fall / Winter 2005 by Gianfranco FerréGianfranco Ferré Research Center, Politecnico di Milano
"... And the soft tempting click-click-click goes off into the porteña night, along the sidewalks of Avenida Corrientes, to follow the echoing of a song…"
Gianfranco Ferré
Women's RTW,
FW 2006
“En la musica estàn, en el cordaje
De la guitarra trabajosa
Que trama en la milonga venturosa
La fiesta y la inocencia del coraje”.
Jorge Luis Borges, “El Tango”
