GIANFRANCO FERRE
Gianfranco Ferre was born in Legnano on August 15, 1944 into an industrial family. After high school he enrolled at the Milan Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a degree in architecture in 1969. But an ever growing interest in the fashion world led him to create a collection of jewelry and accessories which he envisioned as a cross between objects of design and props for living.

This early powerful work sparked the attention and interest of some prominent Italian fashion journalists. Thus encouraged, he began designing clothes collections, working for some important manufacturers in the sector. For one in particular he traveled to India to conduct extensive textile research. And there Ferre grasped the oriental understanding of simplicity in line and color, learned the notion that purity is the goal of all good design.
Once back in Italy, in 1974 Ferre designed his first women's Ready-to-Wear collection, Baila, assigned to him by Franco Mattioli, the Bolognese entrepreneur who becomes soon his business partner. Four years later, in October 1978, he established with Franco Mattioli the Gianfranco Ferre company and debuted with his own Gianfranco Ferre women's collection.

In January 1982 he presented the first Gianfranco Ferre men's collection, distributing it worldwide in parallel to his women's Ready-to-Wear. During this period Ferre also introduced lines of accessories - from leather goods to ties, from lingerie to shoes - which found considerable favor with the public.

In March 1984 he launched the Gianfranco Ferre fragrance for women (produced and distributed by Diana De Silva Cosmetiques), later a complete bath line; then in September 1986 The Gianfranco Ferre fragrance and bath line for men. His second fragrance for women, Ferre by Ferre, came out in 1991. In each case, thanks to the novel scent and elegant packaging, Ferre's fragrances proved immediate hits.
In July 1986, another key step: a presentation in Rome of the first Gianfranco Ferre Haute Couture collection. And relative acclaim on the part of the international press.

In 1987, introduction of the Studio 000.1 by Ferre men's and women's lines (in partnership with the Marzotto Group) and also of the Gianfranco Ferre Fourrures collection. Then in 1989, the Forma 0 by GFF line (produced and distributed by Marzotto). In May of the same year Ferre became Artistic Director of the House of Christian Dior, entrusted with the creation of the haute couture and Ready-to-Wear collections. A stunning success which won reconfirmation in March 1993 until 1996.

In 1987, introduction of the Studio 000.1 by Ferre men's and women's lines (in partnership with the Marzotto Group) and also of the Gianfranco Ferre Fourrures collection. Then in 1989, the Forma 0 by GFF line (produced and distributed by Marzotto). In May of the same year Ferre became Artistic Director of the House of Christian Dior, entrusted with the creation of the haute couture and Ready-to-Wear collections. A stunning success which won reconfirmation in March 1993 until 1996.

In September 1995 Ferre launched the "Gieffeffe" fragrance for Men and Women. In October introduction of "Gieffeffe" Men's and Women's Lines (in partnership with Marzotto Group). In June 1996 the Gianfranco Ferre Jeans line for men and women was introduced (produced and distributed by ITJ-Ittierre).

In 1997, Gianfranco Ferre Studio: a project keying into an urge to respond all the more effectively to ever evolving contemporary reality through determinate clothes that today's and tomorrow's consumers can connect with on the spot. In partnership with Marzotto, this is a wide-ranging

project with clear objectives allowing utmost agility and innovation in defining the style, image and distribution strategy. During the same year Ferre also introduced GFF fragrance for men and women. In January 1998 he introduced "Gianfranco Ferre Sport" men's and women's collections.

Not content to rest on his considerable laurels, Gianfranco Ferre is always looking to the future: constant expansion of the designer label, exploration of new markets, a very rich series of lines - Gianfranco Ferre ready-to-wear and GFF, Gianfranco Ferre Jeans and Gianfranco Ferre Sport, Gianfranco Ferre Studio and Gianfranco Ferre Forma, Gianfranco Ferre for kids and teens - created to offer a wider range of shoppers the opportunity of experiencing those unrivaled Ferre clothing features: quality, unique styling and naturalness, in an effort to broaden the horizons of style...

JOOP!
Wolfgang who?
He is one of Germany's most recognized designers, and one with a unique signature. His last name is Joop, a Dutch first name. He started to employ it as his trademark back in 1979. Instead of using his first name, he simply added an exclamation point, which has come to stand for innovation and creative energy. The brand that now bears his name comprises a universe of products for men, women and children with a turnover of DM 550 million (280 million Euro) in 1998. Today JOOP! stands for contemporary attitude, eroticism and provocative style and lives from a wealth of ideas of its charismatic creator Wolfgang Joop.
What's his story?
Wolfgang Joop was born in Potsdam, Germany, on the 18th of November 1944, close to the grounds of Sanssouci Palace. He began his fashion career when he and his former wife Karin entered a fashion contest in 1970 and managed to win the top three prizes. Prior to that Joop studied advertising psychology and art education. He worked as a free-lance artist and held a professorship at the University of Fine Arts in Berlin.

Personal life
Wolfgang Joop has two daughters, Jette born in 1968 and Florentine born five years later in 1973. He maintains residences in Monte Carlo, Hamburg and New York. He recently acquired a villa in Potsdam, his childhood home-town, which is currently being renovated and modernized by Prof. Dr. Joseph Kleihues.

Creative licencees
The JOOP! GmbH is a solely licensed company. The first JOOP! fragrance as well as the first JOOP! men's and women's collection were launched in 1987. In 1988 the JOOP! jeans made its market debut. Over the following years the product line was consistently enlarged and the brand JOOP! expanded with eyewear, shoes, accessories, leatherwear, body- and knitwear, both for men and women. The JOOP! fashion world was finally rounded off with the introduction of the licences for hosiery, kids, time, socks and jewellery. Wolfgang Joop presented his first home collection at the 1999 Frankfurter Herbstmesse. All partners collaborate closely with the designer Wolfgang Joop in order to ensure the high quality for which JOOP! products are known. The JOOP! design studio as well as the management are located in Hamburg, Germany.

Talent scout
Wolfgang Joop is unceasingly in touch with international artists and photographers. His exchange and involvement with the latter, his curious outlook and the changing spirit of time are his sources of inspiration. JOOP! advertising campaigns reflect this unique and innovative signature. Wolfgang Joop colaborates closely with emerging photographers like Mario Sorrenti, Michelangelo di Battista, Dah Len, Inez van Lamsweerde, Horst Diekgerdes and Sean Ellis. Likewise he has always worked with the most compelling models - Stella Tennant, Donovan Leitch, Kristen McManemy, Tyson Beckford, Nadja Auermann, Amber Valetta, Kirsten Owen, Alek Wek, Markus Schenkenberg, Claudia Schiffer and Shalom Harlow. These are all faces that reflect his creative mood at one time or another.

Beyond fashion
Wolfgang Joop is not only an designer but also a brilliant illustrator. His drawings and drafts have been featured in numerous exhibitions and are part of several museums' permanent collections. Wolfgang Joop himself collects contemporary art and sculptures. All of his homes contain eclectic pieces from contemporary artists such as Tamara de Lempika, Alexander Noll, Jeff Koons, Kenny Hunter, Gerhard Richter and Sam Tylor-Woods as well as important paintings and furniture from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries. Frequently he is called upon to create not only fashion but also news. He writes editorial stories for magazines like Der Spiegel, Stern and Züricher Weltwoche. Wolfgang Joop is personally involved in two charitable organizations: Dunkelziffer e.V., which helps sexually abused children and Hamburg Leuchtfeuer, a charity devoted to support HIV sufferers.