From Italy with love
| ICONIC COVER STORY |
It is a world made up of sensations, traditions, culture, and a Mediterranean style. Two surnames are in a brand known throughout the world and recognizable for its glamour and great versatility: this is the Dolce&Gabbana universe. As a standard bearer throughout the world for Made in Italy, they have been able to interpret and establish their sensual, unique style. Sicily holds a special place in the heart of Dolce&Gabbana – it is their source of inspiration, a unique story made up of popular traditions, nuances, atmosphere, passion, a love for the past, for family and for its roots. It has always been and still is a magnetic light that has given life to a fashion idolized by Hollywood stars: from Madonna, Monica Bellucci and Isabella Rossellini to Kylie Minogue and Angelina Jolie. Dolce&Gabbana is authentic and unconventional luxury that evolves into new forms of elegance, resulting in a modern classicism based on tailoring and creativity. It is an unmistakable style that season after season manages to combine a tendency towards innovation with the indelible Mediterranean seal of their origins, their deepest essence, like we find in their Fall/Winter 2019-2020 collection: a tribute to The scene is set like that in a theater, with large purple curtains and floral compositions where tailoring dances with prêt-à-porter in a tribute to savoir-faire. Outfits have matching accessories studded with crystals and feathered hats. There is the printed or embroidered animalier. Of course, there is also the ‘30s sheath dress with thin straps and shiny fringe.
The flowers are there – in iconic macrostamps, English fabrics, check, tweed, and pied de poule. Colors are like those of precious stones from sapphire to emerald – the brocades. Nero Sicilia takes the stage, with sensual lace-edged knee-highs and patent leather slingbacks. Finally, there is a series of wedding dresses in five royal models. The style is unmistakable with precise ideas in a language that is always the same, yet in continuous evolution and in all the languages of the world. Another key chapter in the history of Dolce&Gabbana is the boutique situated in Via della Spiga 2 in Milan. It encompasses their genetic template, their origins and brand cornerstones in different spaces imbued with the values and emotions from their beginnings, which today see new splendor designed in collaboration with Eric Carlson from Carbondale.
The boutique pays tribute to the brand’s roots and its founding link with the feminine universe, and is spread over three floors. Connected by an imposing central staircase in black basalt, the three levels express love, sensuality, and beauty amidst a sophisticated atmosphere and perspective tricks. The boutique features Women’s Clothing, Evening Wear, Accessories, Fine Jewelry, and Watches Collections. Their story is full of success, as they tell us in the following interview – the unique and undisputed protagonists: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
Can you tell us about an important memory regarding your beginnings?
SG: It is difficult to choose one. We could mention many special moments. It is often said that the years fly by, and in a certain sense it is true. It seems like yesterday that Domenico and I started: the first years were tiring, in the office seven days a week, never a day off. We shared a goal: the love and enthusiasm we have always put into our work.
DD: When we started it was the ‘80s, an incredible period: there was a spirit of creativity, enthusiasm, and a desire to do something in the air and Milan in particular did its part! It was the golden moment of fashion; we wanted to be there and carve our space to be able to tell our story.
Dressing the icons has always been your job. What differences are there between those of the past and those of today? Who is a real diva today?
DD&SG: We have been lucky; we have had wonderful friends by our side and it has been an honor to create clothes for them. We love to dress all the women of the world. They are all queens for us!
What does femininity mean today?
DD&SG: Femininity is unique, it changes from woman to woman. What interests us above all is that people are happy to wear our clothes and that they smile, feeling confident and proud of their bodies. For us, every woman is beautiful in either a sheath dress or a masculine outfit. What matters is feeling good about yourself and feeling at ease about what you wear.
Which one of your dresses do you love the most?
DD&SG: The black lace dress is one of the symbols of our roots. It is important for us to stay faithful to our origins, to be recognizable for our codes, but at the same time to reexamine them every time. Just like with the FW19-20 fashion show – the last part is dedicated to Nero Sicilia, part of our DNA revisited with a fresh pair of eyes.
Guide us through your renovated store in Milan…
SG: The boutique at Spiga 2 is a fundamental chapter in our history, a tribute to the feminine universe and to our roots. The shop is about us and our codes, from Baroque-style furniture to the precious marble and contrasts in materials and colors.
DD: Like many others for two years now, this boutique represents one of the most important tiles in the mosaic of new retail openings in the world. In fact, we are designing some shops as unicumwith their own unique characteristics, always different but related to the identity of Dolce&Gabbana. It is a way for our customers to experience something different and unique.
What is luxury for a brand like Dolce&Gabbana?
DD: For us, luxury means time and dedication: I grew up in my father’s tailor shop, among fabrics, remnants and patterns. I learned everything by observing it all. Creating a garment is an exciting journey that requires time, patience, doing and undoing: if something is not absolutely perfect, you have to start again! And this is luxury: love for the highest quality and for beauty.
SG: Passion for the craft, a love for tailoring, study and research, quality and processing techniques are key elements of this longstanding art that must be handed down to new generations so that it is not lost. This is the goal of our Botteghe di Mestiere – training courses at workshops where skilled tailors teach young people the art of tailoring.
Web: dolcegabbana.it
