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Dolce & Gabbana
By SARA TEMPLETON
 Born
in 1958 and 1962 respectively, Domenico Dolce and Stefano
Gabbana have carved out more than just a niche in the fashion
industry. Rather, the duo have built an empire based on what
they see as dignified, yet raw and sensual fashion design.
The Italian designers came together in 1982 and were fobbed
off early on as 'too young' of all things. We wonder what
those critics have to say now? Much of the style is said to
come from Dolce's Sicilian origins, for which Madonna has
become a big-time fan. D&G have even come up with designs
for one of her world tours, which is likely to have helped
them in a most positive fashion.
In 1982, the first D&G studio was opened, but it wasn't
until 1985 until people took notice of the fashion house.
At the Milano Collezioni fashion show in October of that year,
Dolce and Gabbana were recognised as a promising new talent.
A year later, the pair launched their first self-produced
collection - real woman.
Then, in October of 1988, Dolce & Gabbana signed an agreement
with Dolce Saverio, a clothing company owned by Domenico Dolce's
family. This kick started the labels ready-to-wear range and
gave them more freedom to create. The late 80s saw D&G
clothes travel to Japan, where they showcased the label in
Tokyo for the first time. Then came New York and the flood-gates
to prosperity were opened.
They opened a new showroom in New York (532 Broadway) and
signed an agreement with the Genny group to produce the Complice
range for four years. Not bad for a (relative) days work.
In 1993, Dolce & Gabbana designed 1500 costumes for Madonna's
world tour of 'The Girlie Show', which brought them even more
recognition than they expected. Their trend-setting and sometimes
risky designs earned them a cult following, ranging from huge
celebrities to the suburban slobs. In the same year, "Dolce
& Gabbana Parfum" fragrance was awarded the international
prize as the best feminine fragrance of the year, by the Perfume
Academy. Is there anything these kids can't do?
In 1996, for the first time in history, the French award
- "Oscar des Parfums" - is given to an Italian fragrance:
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme. By 1998 the label was
spinning serious money and in May of that year launched the
new D&G Eyewear collection.
A year later, the D&G company came full circle, and eventually
bought out its parent company by taking over 51 per cent of
Dolce Saverio S.p.A., which would be renamed Dolce & Gabbana
Industria S.p.A. Furthermore, the company exclusively designed
clothes and accessories for Whitney Houston's World Tour in
1999. D&G Time, producing designer watches, was launched
in early 2000 and from here, well, you'd have to say the future
is bright for the duo who just wouldn't quit.
For Madonna's "Music" album, Dolce and Gabbana
were asked to go one step further than just dressing her and
her ensemble and were asked to create an entire environment.
It may sound daunting, but the Italian lads were up to the
task and so transformed New York's legendary Roseland Ballroom
and London's Brixton Academy into what will be forever known
as cyber-ranches.
Can the D&G boys do no wrong? It certainly seems that
way. Their fashion shows are more often than not applauded
than criticised, their frangrances known to be of the highest
standard, their eyewear is individual and trend-setting, and
their watches? Only time will tell.
Links
Official
Dolce & Gabbana website
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