Using their friends as models as they couldn’t afford professionals, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana entered the fashion world in 1985 with their collection, ‘Real Women’.
The dynasty Dolce & Gabbana’s beginnings were faltering, with sales from their first collection so disappointing that they cancelled the fabric order for their second collection. Luckily for the world, they cancelled too late, and the fabric arrived in Milan to herald the pair’s second collection.
Domenico Dolce and Stefano GabbanaSicilian Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from Domenico’s Sicilian roots, Dolce and Gabbana started to design pieces that would become iconic. Their 1989 collection was the first to make a significant impact, with ‘The Sicilian Dress’ now hailed as one of the most important dresses ever designed.
Sienna Miller attends the BMWi3 global reveal party in Dolce & GabbanaExpansion & Notoriety
D&G started to expand, launching knitwear, lingerie, beachwear and menswear. Their first international recognition came in 1991, when Madonna wore a Dolce & Gabbana corset made of gemstones, and their partnership blossomed from there. Creating over 1500 pieces for Madonna’s 1993 ‘Girlie Show’, they also designed costumes for Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Kylie Minogue. Madonna’s relationship with the pair continued, however, and she was the face of their 2010 advertising campaign.
Madonna wears a Dolce&Gabbana creation
Kylie Minogue and the D&G founders
Madonna’s 2010 advertising campaign
Mirroring classic Italian film, “Mamma Roma,” Madonna appears in black and white images that Dolce and Gabbana said people would find ‘comforting’.
Madonna appears to be in an imaginary film – at once mother, daughter, cousin and sister in the simplicity and beauty of everyday Italian family lifeFamous fans
Red carpet royalty love D&G, with fans from Benedict Cumberbatch to Katy Perry. Dolce & Gabbana’s style is versatile and vast. Striking patterned creations to tailored dresses and suits, Dolce & Gabbana manage to cover the breadth of fashion, from daring to demure.
Emily Blunt, Mila Kunis, Amber Heard and Elizabeth Banks
Scarlett Johannsen, Zoe Saldana’s feather dress and Katy Perry with D & G themselvesCollections
Dolce & Gabbana’s strong, confident style is clearly seen across the catwalks over the years. Inspired by Sicily as well as animal prints, films and boho, they aspire to create flattering pieces that they love, rather than sticking to or creating trends. Never known for their subtlety or minimalism, their collections are bold and unapologetic.
Dolce & Gabbana’s FW 2012 collection, heavy with brocade and baroque detailing with large accessories.
Dolce & Gabbana FW2014, intricately detailed, taking inspiration from the beautiful 12th century golden mosaics of the Cathedral of Monreale in Sicily.
Dolce & Gabbana 2015/16 FW celebrated motherhood, with models holding babies and wearing pieces devoted to celebrating motherhood. Pregnant D&G model Bianca Balti graced the runway in an elegant sheath dressFall/Winter 2017/18
Still fixing their roots firmly in Italian culture, Dolce & Gabbana’s FW 2017/18 collection screams classic D&G. Originally inspired by eclectic, bohemian style, their trademark ‘underwear as outerwear’, extravagant prints and bold accessories are prevalent as ever. These sit alongside the sharp tailoring and fine Italian craftsmanship that we know and love as Dolce & Gabbana.
Dolce & Gabbana have lovingly created a bold, colourful brand that marches to the beat of D&G’s drum. Fiercely passionate about creating things they love, their designs breathe vivacity into the fashion world.
