Istvan Francer

Istvan Francer was born in Yugoslavia in 1957, though he is of Hungarian descent. His early years were steeped in art and aesthetics—he spent much of his boyhood absorbing 19th-century paintings in his father's art gallery and admiring his mother’s high-heeled shoes, early symbols of elegance that would later influence his design sensibility.

Recognizing his natural talent for sketching, Francer enrolled at the Belgrade Academy of Applied Arts. After completing his studies, he began his career as a costume designer in the Budapest theatre scene. Driven by ambition and creativity, he moved to the United States in 1986 to study fashion and painting at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, graduating in 1987.

His remarkable talent was soon recognized when he received the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Student Designer of the Year. Donna Karan, who presented the award, was so impressed that she hired him on the spot. Francer went on to spend 14 years at Donna Karan, ultimately serving as Design Director of both the Men’s and Women’s collections until 2001.

In 2000, Francer relocated to Milan, where he launched his own Women’s Ready-to-Wear line, Istvan Francer. His debut Spring/Summer 2002 collection combined the refined elegance of French haute couture with the precise tailoring and finish of Italian apparel. That same year, New York luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman began an exclusive retail partnership with his label.

Simultaneously, Francer was approached by an Italian conglomerate to design their Maska collection. His first line, for Fall 2002, was inspired by snowflake motifs and the romantic 19th-century works of Giovanni Boldini. The result was adventurous, whimsical, and instantly well-received.

In August 2002, Francer was appointed Creative Director of the storied Italian fashion house Cerruti. His first collection for Cerruti debuted at Milan Fashion Week in October 2002 for Spring/Summer 2003, followed by the Fall 2003 line shown in March. However, after two seasons, it was announced in April 2003 that he would be leaving the brand.

In 2004, Francer returned to the United States and resumed his position at the helm of Donna Karan Men’s. The following year, in March 2005, he was appointed Women’s Design Director at Theory. His first collection debuted for Spring 2006, and by Fall 2006, he also took on the role of Design Director for Men’s Ready-to-Wear and Accessories.

Throughout his career, Istvan Francer has brought a unique fusion of European artistry and American innovation to every project, shaping modern fashion with a deep appreciation for history, craftsmanship, and elegance.