Bodysuit Gianfranco Ferré Ready-To-Wear Spring-Summer 1989

File N. 22

Picture Object Bodysuit

Designer Year Gianfranco Ferré 1989

Label Season GIANFRANCO FERRE/MADE IN ITALY Spring-Summer

Collection Ready-to-wear

Look 78

Inventory Size 42 (10)

Materials Navy blue wool jersey, navy Lycra tulle, navy trim, viscose thread in various shades of dark blue

Working processes Dark blue multihead-machine embroidery in mariner motif, with support cloth on reverse side of garment (Ricami Anderlini)

Description Close-fitting wool jersey bodysuit with sheer stretch tulle front. Long sleeves, round low-cut neckline, crotch fastening. Large matching mariner-theme thread embroidery on breast: anchor, rudder, ropes, knots, plus seawaves in baroque spiral form. On the catwalk the bodysuit came complete with a triangular navy blue jersey sarong.

Remarks While the trends of the season talk about an airy lightness and a new Orientalism, what makes the freshest and strongest statement of all is the nude look in beach fashion: see-through inserts in tulle, mesh, gauze and voile for a full array of summer vacation clothing. Ferré as well experiments with the new body-conscious styles made possibile by Lycra in blend with traditional fibers. Iconic item on this front is the bodysuit, which sparks a revolution in lingerie, shirts, blouses, knits re form and fit that lasts for years. Here the designer draws inspiration from beachwear – namely, the one-piece swimsuit with matching sarong – to create a bodysuit fine both for working out (as in aerobics now all the rage) and for enjoying a cool summer day. The design merges alluring features like the nude look with rich details like the seawolf embroidery, the latter seemingly taken from the logo of a yacht club or straight off an elegant beach towel.

Sources GFF Woman embroideries/belts SS 89 Container no. 580

Bibliography

Exhibitions

Acquisition Author of file Enrica Morini

Present location Date of file

02/09/2009

Condition Good