In comparison to some of the other luxury fashion houses, Dolce & Gabbana is a relative newcomer to the scene. Started in 1985, the brand made a huge debut on the fashion scene and has not lost any steam. With their passion for infusing Italian culture in all of their designs, the Dolce & Gabbana history includes a unique style that resonates with fashion lovers all over the globe. Here is a brief look at the history of Dolce & Gabbana.
The Beginning of the Brand
Domenico Dolce was born near Palermo, Sicily, to a family that owned a clothing business. Domenico worked in the family business since childhood, learning about fashion and how to make customers happy. Stefano Gabbana was born at the other end of Italy, near Milan. His first love was art, and he studied graphics initially. Later he turned to his new passion, which was fashion. The duo first met when they were both assistant designers at the same workplace. They began collaborating on ideas and creating designs together. After a short time, the Dolce & Gabbana label was launched. The label had their first runway show in Milan in 1985.
The Early Years
“The Sicilian dress is the essence of Dolce & Gabbana, the brand’s sartorial touchstone. The dress takes its cue from a slip—but it’s a slip that’s adorned Anna Magnani, and it’s a silhouette that has graced Anita Ekberg, Sophia Loren, [and so forth]. The straps fit tight to the body just as bra straps would; the neckline runs straight across but gets waylaid at least twice, once on each side to caress each breast and in the middle to meet an uplifting tuck that’s giving a gentle push up. The slip doesn’t just slide down, but comes in at the waist to hold the figure firmly but not too tightly and then widens to emphasize the hips, only to fall with a slight taper at the knees to guarantee that the hips will sway when the wearer walks.” –Hal Rubenstein
Dolce & Gabbana’s first collection was called Real Women, and it is an accurate reflection of their body of work. Inspired by real women and Domenico Dolce’s Italian heritage, their fourth collection is when the fashion world really began to take notice. The duo was inspired by images from 1940s Italian cinema, and it is a muse that has stayed with them throughout the history of Dolce & Gannana.
The 1990s
During the 1990s, the Dolce & Gabbana history includes a period of immense growth. They opened their first store in Japan. Dolce & Gabbana began to export their products to the United States and opened their first North American showroom in 1990. The first perfume line launched in 1992, the same year that Dolce & Gabbana introduced a men’s collection.
Their women’s collections were still heavily inspired by 1950s silver screen cinema. Dolce & Gabbana were seen as a refreshing alternative to the serious and somber looking fashions that were prevalent in the Nineties. Their reputation for crystal-encrusted clothing as well as their trinket adorned lines made the brand a popular choice for celebrities and awards ceremonies.
2000 til Today
A partnership with Madonna fueled Dolce & Gabbana’s popularity even more in the early 2000s. The brand received multiple awards and the accolades during this time, including being named “Men of the Year” by GQ Magazine in 2003 and best international designers at the Elle Style Awards in 2004. The product line was expanded to include accessories, leather goods, and cosmetics. Most recently, the history of Dolce & Gabbana includes a delightful line of small appliances.
From fashion to perfume to kitchen appliances, the Dolce & Gabbana history is vast. They have shown that they are visionaries with staying power. We cannot wait to see what they come up with next! The history of Dolce & Gabbana is an amazing success story. If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy The History of Prada.
