Gianfranco Ferrè, founder of his own name brand, Baiia and former creative director of Dior passed away in San Raffaele Hospital, Milan yesterday following a brain hemorrhage.

Considered by many to be “the architect of fashion” Ferrè was a leading light in the industry for nearly 40 years and has been instrumental in the continual reinvention of the classic white shirt.

Personally I believe Mr. Ferrè’s greatest contribution to fashion was his dedication to making haute couture more practical and wearable, and thus more approachable for all of us.

His last collection, the A/W 2007, can be previewed online and is sure to become a classic, using a striking monochrome pallet with accents of turquoises and purples.