ROME. July 6: Gianfranco Ferre said on Friday he was leaving his Job as chief designer for French Fashion House Christian Dior and would present his last collection in October, reports Reuter.

In a joint statement, the top Italian designer said that he and Christian Dior couture's chairman Francois Baufume had decided to end the rela-tionship. which began in 1989. by mutual consent. Ferre's contract will terminate on December 31

The great success and the development of the activities of the Giapfranco Ferre company. as well as the increasing success of Christian Dior's collections, making difficult the continuation of the collaboration. have led both partners to make the choice of going their own ways the statement said.

A spokesman for Ferre’s design company said he had no further comment

Ferre Is In Paris preparing his last haute couture collection for winter 1996 which he will present on Monday

His final women's ready-t-wear collection for sprtng/summer 1997 will be presented In October 1996

The house of Christian Dior would like to express its sincere gratitude fot the gr ierous way in which Gianfranco Ferre has given his support through Out these last eight years ’ the statement said