Ciao, Ferre

This week started off on a sad note with the death of Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre at the age of just 62. Ferre was referred to in the industry as "the architect" because he had a degree in architecture and a sculptural approach to fabric that reflected an obsession with volume.

Ferre takes a bow with singer Skin at his fall 2007 show

Ferre famously served as head designer at Christian Dior between 1989 and 1996, a decision that scandalised the deeply chauvinistic Paris fashion set at the time - but he came to be deeply respected during his tenure at the French house. Ferre's signature item was the white shirt, as modelled by Julia Roberts in a recent advertising campaign for the label. His premature death can only send shivers down the collective spine of Europe's older generation of designers, all of which have exceeded retirement age: Valentino, Armani and Lagerfeld. Let's wish them long and prosperous lives.

Julia Roberts appears in an advertising campaign for Ferre