Alberta Ferretti

Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferretti has a studio in her native Cattolica in Italy and several flagships worldwide. The fashion designer has played a significant role in promoting Italian culture and business for which she has been awarded several times over the years. The most significant accolades include being appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Italian Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro in 1998. In 2000 she received an honorary degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage for the recovery of the medieval village of Montegridolfo. In July 2005 she received an award in Rome for her work in promoting Italian culture in the world. Also- in 2005- the International Fashion Group with Anna Wintour awarded her with a prize titled "The Romantics".The Romantics"The Romantics". in New York.

Alberta Ferretti grew up in Cattolica- Italy where her mother taught her to sew at a very young age. "I have beautiful memories of touching fabric and materials, of the seemingly huge women who used to do the fittings, of the vivacious atmosphere" she told Vogue. At Seventeen.. Ferretti left school and got married. The young girl was clear that she wanted to pursue a career in fashion so she obtained  a loan from her parents and with their financial backing… Ferretti began her career in fashion in 1968 by opening her fashion boutique named "Jolly". 

She launched her eponymous label in 1974- and in the following year- launched another fashion brand "Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti" which targeted the youth market. Having garnered a cult following.. Alberta Ferretti expanded her reach to Milan in the early eighties.  In 1980 she and her brother Massimo started manufacturing facility Aeffe which manufactures and distributes ready-to-wear collections for fashion brands Moschino and Pollini in addition to their own labels. 

In 1985 the young fashion designer opened her first flagship store in Milan and debuted at Milan Fashion Week. Ferretti has since diversified into bridal through "Alberta Ferretti Forever"- kidswear through "Alberta Ferretti Girls" and sportswear through "Alberta Ferretti Tech". Rapid global expansion – by the opening of flagship stores in Milan- Paris- London and New York led to the opening of a number of other boutiques in other parts of the world including Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Per Vogue: ""Italy’s quiet achiever," as Alberta Ferretti was once called, gained worldwide fame for her light hand with pretty party dresses—but not everything is always sugar and spice in her world. "I can't see why women cannot look delicate and act tough," the diminutive designer said in 2009."

Designing for her own brands and entrepreneurship through Aeffe grew side by side. In 1999 Aeffe bought Moschino- and in 2012- secured the licence for Emanuel Ungaro. With a heart committed to giving back- Alberta Ferretti partnered with Sotheby’s to support reconstruction in the Emilia Romagna region which was severely affected by devastating floods. From 10-13 July 2005 a selection of Alberta Ferretti dresses- worn by a host of celebrities on the red carpet- were offered in an online auction held by Sotheby's. Proceeds from the auction were allocated to the Emilia-Romagna region to support the families and businesses affected by the flood that deeply shook the region.

In 2009 the designer introduced her first fragrance. A milestone in the fashion designer's illustrious career was her tribute to Venice.. with a special event in Ca' Rezzonico which hosts the museum of eighteenth century Venice. Alberta Ferretti's passion for Italy has been expressed over the years through various tributes and this new initiative sublimates and glorifies the bond.. combining fashion- culture- and history of Italy in a collection of sumptuous pieces in which one can breathe the unique charm of Venetian preciousness.

Alberta Ferretti has played a significant role in promoting Italian culture and has been awarded several times in recognition of her work. The most significant accolades include "Cavalieri del Lavoro" by the Italian president in 1998 and "Lifetime Achievement Award" in Rome in 2005. In October 2018 Ferretti received the "American Award" by the Italy-USA Foundation at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome. In May 2022- celebrating the thirteenth edition dedicated to Italian Excellence- Ferretti was awarded the "Guido Carli Prize". 

At Alberta Ferretti sustainability is one of the brand pillars. Per Vogue: "In 2011 she partnered with Emma Watson and People Tree - a fair-trade apparel brand employing artisans in Bangladesh - on a five-piece capsule collection… she's (now) launching a special Earth Day collection made of certified organic, recycled and otherwise low-impact materials produced in partnership with Livia Firth's Eco-Age…" So it's no wonder Ferretti received the "Ethical and Sustainable Award" at Montecarlo Fashion Week 2019.

And- her work continues to be applauded. On Alberta Ferretti Resort 2024- Vogue reviewed: "Ferretti gave the collection a dramatic theatrical rhythm, playing on lightness opposed to structure, delicacy contrasted by character… Featherlight cloaks, capes, and evening overcoats ballooned over slender embellished sheaths; sinuous slip-dresses dripping in translucent sequins had a liquid, voluptuous appeal."

Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferretti envisioned creating contemporary elegant women's ready to wear- couture and bridal collections and pretty soon used her sharp business acumen to expand into sports apparel- fashion accessories- footwear- kidswear and fragrances.

Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferretti envisioned creating contemporary elegant women's ready to wear- couture and bridal collections and pretty soon used her sharp business acumen to expand into sports apparel- accessories- footwear- kidswear and fragrances.