After graduating from school, Gianfranco Ferré studied architecture at the Polytechnic Institute in Milan. In 1969 he completed his studies with a diploma. Ferré was already interested in fashion during his student days. He designed fashion accessories for fellow students. The young Italian soon attracted the attention of experts and his products were featured in the press. At the beginning of the 1970s, Ferré traveled to India for the first time. There he got inspiration for his subsequent designs.

In 1973, the young fashion designer came onto the market with his first collection. In the same year he designed the first accessories, such as bracelets and belts, for prominent personalities such as Walter Albini and Christiane Bailly. From 1974 he worked in his own studio. He presented a fashion for different occasions. In 1975, Ferré was awarded the "Tiberio d''oro". In 1978 he founded his own fashion company, where he designed fashion for the modern, self-confident woman. By 1982, Ferré had already made a name for himself internationally as a successful Italian fashion designer.

In the same year he launched his first men's collection and also designed the matching accessories. In the period from 1982 to 1989 he was awarded the "Occhio d'Oro" award several times. In 1984, Ferré created his first perfume for women. In 1985, Ferré was awarded three prizes: the Fashion Prize in Munich, the "Cutty Sark Men's Fashion Award" in New York and the "Ambrogino d'Oro" Award in Milan. In 1986 he debuted the "Gianfranco Ferré Couture Collection" in Rome. In the same year he created a men's fragrance under his name. In 1987, the designer developed the "Studio 000.1 By Ferré" creation line for men and women.

Also in 1987 he entered into a partnership with the Italian company Marzotto. Two years later, a collection for plus-size fashion was created. In 1989, Ferré experienced a high point in his career in the fashion industry: he accepted the call to become creative director at Christian Dior. There he developed the Haute Couture line for women until 1996. In the same year, the women's line "Forma 0 By GFF" was released. Ferré saw this collection as a response to the demand for comfortable fashion for women of all ages and shapes. Also in 1989, the Italian fashion designer was honored with, among other things, the "De d'Or" award for the first Christian Dior Haute Couture collection in Paris and the "Milanese dell''Anno" award in Milan.

In 1990 he received the "Gold Medal of Civic Merit" in Milan. In 1991 his second perfume for women was released under the name "Ferré by Ferré". In 1995, the Italian fashion designer created the "GFF Gianfranco Ferré" line, a young line for men and women. The following year, Ferré designed jeans for the first time in his own collection called "Gianfranco Ferré Jeans". For the 20th anniversary, not only was a new fragrance released under the name "Gianfranco Ferré 20", but several shops were opened. The new corporate headquarters in Milan was also put into operation.

In 2000, Ferré made his debut with children's fashion, which he brought onto the market under his name. And a new men's fragrance called "Ferré Pontiaccio 21" was created. In the same year, the fashion designer sold 90 percent of his company to the Italian clothing group "ITTIERRE S.p.A.". In the same year its sales amounted to around 1.35 billion euros. The following year, Ferré was guest of honor at the "Shanghai International Culture Festival". On this occasion he presented his collection. Ferré, who suffered from diabetes, remained loyal to the company even after he sold it.

Gianfranco Ferré became an award-winning fashion czar. His honors also include the "Crystal Apple" Award in California (1995), the "Masters of Linen" Award in Milan (1996) and the "Fur Fashion Award - Speciale 50 Anni Associazione Italiana Pellicceria" in Milan from that year 2000. In 2004, Ferré was responsible for the fashion show as part of the Vienna Life Ball.

Gianfranco Ferré died on June 17, 2007 in Milan.