Italian designer Gianfranco Ferré was admitted into hospital in Milan on Friday and according to the official statement died 9pm Sunday evening after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was 62. Born Aug. 15, 1944 in northern Italy, Ferre was affectionately nicknamed the “architect of fashion” and initially trained as an architect, gaining a degree in architecture in 1969 from Milan’s Polytechnic Institute.

His love for sculpture and structure heavily inspired his designs when he turned his talents to fashion in the 70’s and after a stint designing jewellery at the start of his career, Ferré launched his own company in the mid-70’s and went on to become head designer of Christian Dior in 1989 and left in 1996 to focus on his own brand. As Milan mourns his death some of Italy’s top designers have sent in their condolences and Roberto Cavalli describes Ferré as,

“A true artist, pure, a beautiful person who will be missed by the whole fashion world”

[Image:Vogue]