MILAN – In a surprise move, Alberta Ferretti on Tuesday morning revealed she was stepping down from the creative role of her namesake brand.
In a letter, she explained that “soon I will announce the name of the person we have chosen to continue writing the history of the Alberta Ferretti brand, who will always find in me support and sustainment.” Her last show was on Sept. 17 in Milan.
Ferretti launched the brand in 1981, “when a young woman with many dreams and passions brought her collection to the catwalk for the first time. I remember those moments as if they were yesterday. The Alberta of that day is in many ways still the Alberta of today, even if in the meantime a small family business has become a company with 1,500 employees,” she wrote.
She admitted it was “a difficult, complicated, but a very thoughtful choice,” as she believes “it’s time for me to make room for a new chapter for my brand, a new narrative.” The decision, she wrote, was made with serenity and awareness.”
The brand will continue to bear her name.
“I had the incredible privilege of shaping my dreams, making them come true. And on this journey, to meet and collaborate with legends, with professionals who also became friends and who helped me grow… Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Franca Sozzani, Paolo Roversi… without you, my world would never have been the same.
“How many things I have learned, how much energy I have invested in this job and how many achievements I have been lucky enough to reach. From Cattolica to China, from Hollywood to Japan…fantastic places on a journey that seemed unimaginable, but which came true.
“On this very special day, thanks must go to my brother Massimo, a constant presence in my professional and personal life, and to all those who have contributed to making in recent years the Alberta Ferretti brand great in the world.”
Ferretti will continue to hold the role of vice president of parent group Aeffe, while dedicating her time to her “great passions,” including art. “Someone will think that now I will dedicate myself to rest… that someone doesn’t know me well enough.”