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Dolce and GabbanaItalian fashion designers
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
Biography of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the Italian designers known as the "sweet couple," have achieved the near-impossible. In less than ten years, they transformed their small Milanese atelier into an international fashion empire that generates millions in profits. The most beautiful and famous women in the world dream of befriending them or becoming their clients. Actresses like Nastassja Kinski, Nicole Kidman, and Demi Moore have worn their designs, and they have created costumes for Madonna and Whitney Houston's world tours. They have even dressed Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. for the MTV European Music Awards. Dolce and Gabbana are responsible for introducing ripped jeans into fashion, turning underwear into luxurious accessories that can be worn with men's suits, and pioneering the "lingerie style" in women's fashion. They have transformed black dresses typically worn by Italian widows into super sexy outfits. Despite their success, they continue to work on their designs rather than delegate to a team of stylists.
Domenico Dolce
Domenico Dolce, a native of Sicily, comes from a family that owned a small atelier. From a young age, Dolce worked with his father, honing his skills in tailoring. He was nicknamed "Mozart" because of his talent for sewing and cutting fabric. In his free time, he enjoyed creating miniature costumes and dresses from scraps of fabric. Growing up in Sicily, he witnessed the traditional way of life characterized by the women's somber black dresses, strict family values, and authoritative fathers. Dolce's mother did not indulge him with expensive toys or new clothes, often repairing his father's suits to save money. These childhood memories would later influence his fashion collections. However, when he reached adulthood, Dolce decided to break from the family business tradition and attended university. Uninspired by his studies, he dropped out the following year and moved to Milan in search of fame and fortune.
Stefano Gabbana
Stefano Gabbana, four years younger than Dolce, grew up in Northern Italy. He was tall, slim, and talkative, with a love for nightlife and clubbing. Even as a teenager, he had a strong interest in fashion. Every season, he would visit the Fiorucci store to buy the most fashionable item of clothing. Little did he know that fashion would become his own business. Gabbana studied graphic design at an art college, but he never worked in the field. He followed in Dolce's footsteps and moved to Milan to pursue a career in fashion. Despite their different backgrounds and personalities, Dolce and Gabbana became lovers and eventually business partners. They do everything together, from designing collections to traveling and relaxing. They can talk about anything, including politics and their gay relationship. However, their cautious public relations team tries to avoid leaving them alone with journalists to prevent any potentially inappropriate statements. Dolce and Gabbana's creative process is driven by their shared love for the baroque era, classic Italian films, and each other.
Inspiration and Design
Dolce and Gabbana find inspiration in old films, childhood memories, and everyday life. They observe trends and spontaneous tendencies that influence fashion while visiting clubs, street shops, and even eating ice cream. They draw inspiration from the sensuality of Italian actresses like Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, and Anna Magnani in the films of the 1950s and 1960s. Their collections often feature corsets, lace stockings, and transparent dresses, which exude high erotic tension. They believe that clothing should enhance a woman's sensuality without making her appear too accessible. Dolce and Gabbana's designs focus on accentuating feminine attributes, such as a slim waist and curvaceous figure. They aim to make women feel confident and attractive in their creations.
Despite their flamboyance and openness, Dolce and Gabbana remain humble and shy Italian men. Their shyness has sometimes backfired, as in the case of their encounter with Madonna. While working as assistants, they dreamed of meeting her and were left speechless when they saw her wearing one of their designs in a magazine. They were later introduced to her and were overjoyed by her positive reception of their work. However, they made the mistake of not discussing their payment for creating costumes for her "Girlie" tour. As a result, they ended up working for free. Dolce and Gabbana's approach to fashion is not driven by financial gain but by their passion for creating beautiful clothes.
