FRANCE: ITALIAN DESIGNER GIANFRANCO FERRE LEAVES CHRISTIAN DIOR AFTER SEVEN YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Record ID: 231186

  • Title: FRANCE: ITALIAN DESIGNER GIANFRANCO FERRE LEAVES CHRISTIAN DIOR AFTER SEVEN YEAR PARTNERSHIP
  • Date: 8th July 1996
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JULY 8, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV START OF SHOW, INDIAN MUSIC PLAYING, MODEL ON CATWALK 0.10 2. MV'S HIGHLIGHTS OF SHOW (9 SHOTS) 1.30 3. MV DESIGNER GIANFRANCO FERRE SPEAKING. (ENGLISH) 1.50 4. FERRE ON CATWALK WITH HIS MODELS, APPLAUSE 2.30 TRANSCRIPT SEQ 3. FERRE, "IT'S A COLLECTION FULL OF LOVE, FULL OF INDIAN DREAMS WITH A FRENCH WIND." REPORTER, "IS THIS A VERY SAD DAY FOR YOU?" TRANSCRIPT SEQ 3. FERRE, "THIS IS A MOMENT WHEN WE HAVE TO GRATIFY (INDISTINCT)." Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • City:
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHSKW6EDBS6SYMB2JFST2OVM9
  • Story Text: - INTRO: In a sumptuous show of Indian splendour, Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre has left the haute couture world of Christian Dior at the end of a highly-successful seven-year fashion partnership.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------- Although the abrupt end of the partnership between Ferre and Dior was explained as a joint decision, Ferre's final haute couture collection in Paris on Monday (July 8) seemed to be his way of showing the fashion house the terrible mistake it was making.

    Glimmering Bengal brocades, Himalayan top-stitching and opulent sari silks -- fabrics rich and spicy as a Madras curry -- were fashioned into slim suits, coats and jackets. Amber, deep plum, steamy reds, mango and tea rose pink made up the palette.

    Supermodel Carla Bruni slithered out in a column of rich caramel velvet, her head veiled in pale chiffon and Yasmeen Ghauri wrapped herself in a paisley satin "boule" jacket, drawing a burst of applause.

    Naomi Campbell, clad in gold and bronze brocade, sashayed down the catwalk refusing to pose for weary photographers.

    Scarlet velvet trim here, an ostrich feather collar there, and smart day suits in mousy grey, taupe and burnt sienna became exotically elegant.

    There was a luscious evening gown -- not quite a sari -- of rose-coloured silk with gold embroidered edging, but the ostentation of the Orient showed up as well as in a heavily jewel-encrusted evening suit or a bubblegum pink angora coat with high gilt collar.

    The bearded and corpulent 51-year-old designer kissed each of his models as the crowd rose in a standing ovation.

    Speaking to Reuters, Ferre said: "This is a collection full of love, full of Indian dream with a French wind." Asked if it was a sad day for him, Ferre said: "Not a sad day.

    Another day was sadder than this one." In announcing Ferre's departure last week, Dior said the designer was leaving to devote himself to his expanding Gianfranco Ferre ready-to-wear label, as well as the diffusion lines Gieffeffe and 000.1 Studio, which are based in Italy. Dior officials refused to comment on an eventual successor.

    Extremely shy and reserved in public, Ferre won the De d'Or (Golden Thimble) French fashion oscar for his first Dior couture collection.


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