Motorcycle Apparel
Gianfranco Ferré believed in certain elements of masculine style that caused a differentiation between different calibers of men.
Decorated and awarded as an architect, a designer and a philanthropist, Ferré embodied elegance, commitment and passion until he died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage on June 17, one week before his men’s spring/summer 2008 collection was to be presented in Milan. He was 62.
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Ostrich and other precious leathers of Ferré’s spring collection, boots from his GF Ferré diffusion line and handmade zebra-infused tortoise wraparound sunglasses from Allison S.p.A. (Click image to enlarge)
Although he did not get to lead the parade of gentlemen down the runway this time, in his final collection he shared the most uncanny affinity with the motorcycle spirits who often parked in front of his boutique—the love of travel, quest, evolution, discovery and rediscovery.
"Traveling is a natural attitude," Ferré said while speaking of this collection. "One encounters open spaces that appear to be infinite…the desire to explore gives way to the pleasures of rediscovered horizons."
He used the most unusual juxtapositions of fabrics and colors—water-repellent and weatherized silks, laminated cotton and precious leathers, and the blacks of sand, stone, and lava for iridescent highlights.
"When I think of Gianfranco Ferré," said fellow legend Giorgio Armani, "the idea that comes immediately to mind is the dignity, the calm, the sense of responsibility that he brought to his work."
