Ferretti began her career in fashion in 1968, by opening a fashion boutique named Jolly in Cattolica, Italy. She launched her namesake label in 1974 and, having garnered a cult following through her boutique, expanded her reach to Milan in the early eighties, founding her first showroom and debuting at Milan Fashion Week. In 1984 the designer launched Ferretti Jeans Philosophy — renamed Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti in 1987 — as her first diffusion label aimed at the youth market. The designer has since diversified into bridal through Alberta Ferretti Forever, childrenswear through Alberta Ferretti Girls and sportswear through Alberta Ferretti Tech. In 2009, the designer also introduced her first namesake fragrance.

Throughout her longstanding career, Ferretti has played a significant role in promoting Italian culture and business and has been awarded several accolades in recognition of her work, such as the Cavalieri del Lavoro by the Italian president in 1998 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Rome in 2005. Following her work in refurbishing the four-star Palazzo Viviani hotel and a turn as the first female board member of the Italian bank Foundation of the Cassa di Risparmio di Rimini, Ferretti was also named as best female entrepreneur by Italian representatives in 1991.

In October of 2018 Ferretti received the American Award. This prestigious award was conferred to her by the Italy-USA Foundation which she collected in Rome at the Chamber of Deputies. In September 2021 on the occasion of the 78th Edition of the Venice Film Festival, Ferretti accepted the WiCa Award – Women in Cinema Award – that recognised her impact in the world of fashion. In May of 2022, celebrating the 13th edition dedicated to Italian Excellence, Ferretti was awarded the Guido Carli Prize.