Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce(1958- )Gabbana (1962- )
Dolce & Gabbana's earlier designs consisted of unstructured clothing with complicated systems for fastenings. In 1987, their collection was inspired by classic southern Italian cinema, marked by romanticism and voluptuousness; with full skirts, ruffled blouses and lace shawls.
In 1988, they launched their beachwear line. In 1989 they launched their lingerie line, and also opened a boutique in Japan. Dolce & Gabbana are credited with turning lingerie into street clothing. In 1990,Dolce & Gabbana presented their Dolce & Gabbana men’s collection and opened their first boutique in Milan. Dolce & Gabbana's designs are beautifully tailored with a signature Dolce & Gabbana "hot" look. They were awarded the Woolmark Award in 1990.In 1994 they launched two less expensive lines, the D&G women’s collection and the D&G men’s collection. Every year their collections change, but each designer has his favorite pieces that remain in the collection each season. Dolce & Gabbana also have the D&G line, for the customer seeking luxury at a price.
The company's retail operations are growing worldwide, with owned and franchised boutiques in place for both the lower-priced D&G and signature Dolce & Gabbana lines throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. The company entered New York's retail scene in 1997, as well as opening a West Coast store in Beverly Hills in 2000. The company's footwear collection is one of its licensed success stories. Popular especially in the United States, the Dolce & Gabbana shoe line includes more than forty designs each year, along with twenty more under the D&G label.
Domenico Dolce was born in Polizzi Generosa, Sicily on August 13, 1958. His father was a tailor and owned a small clothing business where Dolce worked as he was growing up. Stefano Gabbana, was born in Milan, Italy, on November 14, 1962. Gabanna studied graphic design at the University of Milan. Dolce and Gabbana met when they were both assistants to an atelier in Milan, and in 1982 they became partners. Dolce and Gabbana launched their first collection in Milan’s Fashion Show in 1985, and were a great success. In 1986, they launched the Dolce & Gabbana women’s collection.
