After more than forty-five years as artistic director of her eponymous brand, Alberta Ferretti is as passionate as ever. A master in the art of creating silhouettes that are both elegant and delicate, she is one of those designers whose aesthetic is recognizable at first glance. The daughter of a seamstress who taught her the rudiments of the trade at an early age, she initially turned to retail, opening her first boutique, Jolly, in Cattolica (province of Rimini). She sold pieces from the greatest designers, from Giorgio Armani to Versace, but also her own creations. As her success grew, she founded her eponymous label in 1974. But this was not enough for her. An accomplished businesswoman, she founded the AEFFE group in 1980 with her brother, Massimo. Today, this distributor/manufacturer is a giant of international fashion, responsible for brands such as Moschino, Jeremy Scott, and of course, Alberta Ferretti. Some time later, she opened her first showroom in Milan and began to show her collections at the local fashion week. Her feminine and refined aesthetic, enhanced by noble materials, embroidery and other draperies, attracted a cocktail and socialite clientele. A favorite on red carpets, her creations are praised for their simplicity and muted luxury. In 2005, she pushed the envelope even further with her first couture collection, followed by Haute Couture creations presented in Paris almost ten years later.