The daughter of a dressmaker, Alberta Ferretti followed in her parent’s footsteps by opening her own boutique in Italy at just 18. Her eponymous label was founded in 1980 and the designer’s first ready-to-wear collection was shown in Milan the following year.

Alberta Ferretti’s deft use of chiffon, draped georgette, charmeuse, and satin cemented the label’s status as the go-to brand for red carpet-worthy dresses. Expect to see ultra-feminine cocktail dresses, floor-sweeping gowns, and figure-flattering coats, tops and skirts accented with a line of shoes and bags.