Designer Ferre 'is seriously ill'

Gianfranco Ferre enjoys iconic status

Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferre has been taken to hospital in Milan and is in a serious condition, Italian news agency Ansa reports.

Ferre, 62, is in intensive care at the San Raffaele hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage, Ansa says.

The hospital has refused to comment, but sources close to the stylist are quoted as saying he fell ill on Friday and his condition worsened overnight.

He was stylistic director at Christian Dior in Paris from 1989 to 1997.

Trained as an architect, he turned to fashion in the 1970s, starting with accessories before launching his own label, Baila.

Ferre has received the highly acclaimed Italian fashion award 'L'Occhio d'Oro' several times.