THE COLLECTION
Their sartorial odes to Sicily are as signature to the label as their black lace bustier dresses. This season, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana‘s love affair extended to the entire country, as dresses came emblazoned with Italian landmarks, crisp stripes reminisced a trip to Capri, and hand-painted heels nodded to the ceramics found in Naples.
Dolce & Gabbana’s sartorial love letter to 1940s Italy
The late 1940s exert the same romantic hold over today’s Italians as does our post-war era here. Both are viewed as challenging years that brought out each nation’s best traits. While the British endured years of rationing and launched the NHS, the Italians, also on their knees economically, embarked on a spurt of invention that laid the foundations of the 1950s manufacturing miracle that made them a world class producer of cars, fashion and product design.
Cork, raffia, humble cotton, materials previously ignored by high class fashion houses, were all used for high end products. Nothing would stop the bella ragazzi looking glamorous.
It was this era, perennially cherished in the collective Italian consciousness, that was at the forefront of Domenico Dolce’s and Stefano Gabbana’s minds when they designed their new spring summer ready to wear collection.
Classic Dolce
Spring offered up the little black corset dresses, reinterpreted as matching cropped tops and pencil skirts that felt entirely fresh. Equally signature to the house is the margarita flower, seen this season embroiled atop lace jackets.
Suit Yourself
Dolce may be best known for their dresses, but the Italian house is also synonymous with impeccably tailored suiting à la spring’s mint-green version that included the bolero jacket that has become popular since Spring 2015’s matador collection.
Foreign Exchange
While the runway was a love letter to Italy, It was one captured through the eyes of a tourist. The kimonos, mandarin collar pyjama set and caftans are prime examples of visitors absorbing classic Italian style and making it their own.
Tour of Italy
The country’s most famous landmarks – Venice’s gondolas, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Michelangelo’s David – came decadently embroiled and beaded atop trademark fluted shifts and lace separates Several even inspired with lavish cursive that read “Italia is Love”
Brushstrokes of Genius
The collection’s colourful brushstroke pieces were inspired by the work of Italian artist Lucio Fontana, seen on everything from curve-hugging sheaths to generously flared 50’s dresses.
THE CATWALK
“Italia is Love”, the show was called – and it was a world tour of references: Peruvian pom-poms, chinoiserie dresses, riviera style, Italian tradition – all transposed the Dolce & Gabbana way. So: lace, opulent embroidery and embellishment, those Fifties sundress silhouettes, or alternatively those hour-glass styles or tunics with trumpet sleeves. All the Dolce & Gabbana DNA was there as it always is, with models taking runway selfies, being a tourist has never looked so chic.
THE CAMPAIGN
Releasing its spring-summer 2016 campaign, Dolce & Gabbana celebrates all things Italian for a new set of colorful campaign images. A diverse cast including Luma Grothe, Leila Nda and Pauline Hoarau sets the scene complete with spaghetti, gingham print table clothes and even nuns. Floral print dresses, nautical stripes, and billowing shapes standout in the sun-drenched advertisements. The Dolce & Gabbana woman can be seen taking selfies while sitting at a cafe or flaunting her new handbag while shopping for fruit.
