Gianfranco Ferré Spring 2002 Dress

This extremely rare glow-in-the-dark “tribal” dress from Gianfranco Ferré’s Spring 2002 collection exemplifies the designer’s distinctive innovation. Known as “the architect of fashion” for his background in architecture and his sculptural approach to design, Ferré brought precision to even his most experimental work. As Vogue wrote, "Ferré's finale took the form of a glow-in-the-dark series of embroidered tangerine, lemon and orange dresses. Fans of Ferré's extravagant aesthetic were not disappointed."

The gown has a slinky, bodycon silhouette with long sleeves and a scoop neckline. It is crafted from sheer white stretch-jersey lined in a caramel-toned material - a hue that passed for “nude” in the early 2000s - creating the illusion that the bright pink, orange, and yellow glow-in-the-dark motifs are painted directly onto the skin. The pattern of the motifs imitates the "tribal" tattoo trend that was prevalent during this era. On the runway, these pieces were presented in near darkness, allowing the luminescent patterns to pulse and shimmer across the body. The result is an expression of Ferré’s early-2000s aesthetic: innovative craftsmanship illuminated by the technological experimentation of the new millennium.

• Gianfranco Ferré Spring 2002 • Stretch-jersey • Glow-in-the-dark print • Body-con dress • Ankle-length • Made in Italy

Fabric: Stretch-jersey
Size on Label: French 44, UK 12, US 8
Stretch: Yes
Care: Dry clean only
Condition: Good condition - there are a few slight bobbles to the rear but only very minor

Bust (unstretched): 71 cm (28 inch)
Waist (unstretched): 68.5 cm (27 inch)
Hip (unstretched): 71 cm (28 inch)
Length: 106.5 cm (42 inch)