In Dolce&Gabbana’s creations, the Sacred Heart motif radiates as a striking centerpiece, whether embroidered on garments or adorned in metal and beads on handbags and Devotion perfume bottles. Symbolizing life and love, it serves as a poignant reminder that true creativity requires giving oneself entirely to the artistic journey.
The Art of Uniqueness: Dolce & Gabbana’s Signature
by A. M. Ivancenco
Du Coeur à La Main is an extraordinary exhibition showcasing over 200 unique creations from the legendary fashion house of Dolce&Gabbana. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to Italian culture – the essence that fuels Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s visionary designs. Curated by Florence Müller, with scenography by Agence Galuchat and produced by IMG, the exhibition spans 1,200 square meters across ten immersive rooms. It celebrates Dolce&Gabbana as an emblem of Italian elegance, sensuality, and boldness.
The exhibition explores the intersection of art, architecture, craftsmanship, music, opera, folk traditions, and the spirit of “la dolce vita.” It offers a remarkable dialogue between the brand’s archival and new collections, underscoring the interplay between Italy’s cultural heritage and the designers’ creative vision. Visitors also experience works by visual artists, enriching the narrative of Dolce&Gabbana‘s iconic designs.
Drawing inspiration from their Sicilian and Milanese roots, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana craft collections rich in artistic and cultural references, influenced by painting, architecture, theater, and beyond. The designers’ profound connection to iconic Italian locations highlights their creative origins, as artisans elevate traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques, blending heritage and modernity. As founders and owners, Dolce and Gabbana enjoy the freedom to pursue their vision, celebrating the artistry and passion of skilled artisans who transform beauty into reality through their craftsmanship.
“The exhibition From the Heart to the Hands invites you to explore the creative universe of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, as revealed through their Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, and Alta Gioielleria collections. Their deep reverence for traditional Italian craftsmanship inspired their move into haute couture after the success of their prêt-à-porter fashion house in 1985.”
— Florence Müller, Exhibition Curator
Thanks to sculptural garments and exuberant stuccowork, interior decoration and fashion join here in a paean to the White Baroque – hommage to Giacomo Serpotta (1656–1732)
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, where trends often waver between fleeting and formulaic, Dolce & Gabbana have consistently stood as paragons of individuality, blending their distinct creative vision with the grandeur of Italian craftsmanship. Their signature style is not merely a collection of garments but a rich tapestry of artistry, culture, and emotion, a celebration of heritage that transcends time.
The Heartbeat of “Fatto a Mano”
At the core of their enduring appeal lies their unwavering commitment to “fatto a mano” (handmade), an ethos woven into every stitch of their Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria collections. Collaborating with master artisans across Italy, Dolce & Gabbana embody the profound connection between human hands and the sublime beauty they create. Each piece is a work of passion, where embroidery, lace, and delicate appliqué evoke centuries-old Italian traditions. From Puglia’s reed basketry to the mosaics of Venice and Monreale, their designs transform Italy’s diverse cultural and architectural treasures combining Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences into wearable art.
A Renaissance in Fashion
Dolce & Gabbana’s creations are a homage to Italy’s rich artistic legacy, drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics. The colors of Capri’s majolica tiles, the dramatic tension of Giacomo Serpotta’s stuccowork, and the divine light of Byzantine mosaics all find expression in their collections. These elements are not replicated, but reinterpreted, infused with modernity while retaining their historical essence. For Dolce & Gabbana, crafting a garment mirrors the construction of a cathedral – each piece begins with an architectural vision, evolves into a three-dimensional form, and is adorned with intricate embellishments, much like a fresco-lined basilica. This harmonious blend of structure and ornament creates a visual symphony of line, volume, and texture.
Sicily: The Eternal Muse
Sicily, with its storied past and vibrant traditions, is the soul of Dolce & Gabbana’s creative universe. From the colorful motifs of Sicilian ceramics to the festively adorned carriages of local festivals, the island’s spirit imbues their designs with a sense of nostalgia and wonder. Sicilian culture emerges as a powerful muse, seen in corset gowns with crinoline, dramatic feathered headpieces, and garments that evoke the chivalric legends of Charlemagne and Saint George. Through their designs, Dolce & Gabbana preserve and elevate Sicily’s artisanal heritage, ensuring its timeless beauty resonates worldwide.
Few designers balance the sacred and the sensual with the grace of Dolce & Gabbana. Their creations often weave divine narratives, adorned with Sacred Heart motifs, gilded embroidery, and opulent textures. This fusion of the spiritual and the corporeal evokes the Baroque’s theatricality, celebrating life, passion, and the depth of human emotion.
The influence of Sicilian ceramics and carts on their Alta Moda and Alta Gioielleria collections, presented in Palermo in 2017, is especially evident here.
The Drama and the Divine
Opera and drama are not merely influences for Dolce & Gabbana; they are integral to the brand’s identity. Their collections channel the emotional intensity of Verdi’s La Traviata or Puccini’s Tosca, translating the grandeur of the stage into sartorial expression. Theatrical silhouettes, bold embellishments, and vivid hues create an atmosphere where each wearer becomes the protagonist in an unfolding narrative of luxury and passion.
Dolce & Gabbana’s creations are, above all, a celebration of individuality and the divine spirit within every human being. Their garments elevate the wearer, transforming them into modern-day goddesses and kings. Whether inspired by Greek myths or Sicilian folklore, their designs carry an almost mythical aura, where craftsmanship meets storytelling in its purest form.
Many of their collections are a phantasmagorical journey through legendary operas: La Traviata, Attila, Aida, Rigoletto, and Don Carlo composed by Giuseppe Verdi; Tosca, Madama Butterfly, La fanciulla del West, and Turandot by Giacomo Puccini; Norma and I Capuleti e I Montecchi by Vincenzo Bellini; Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni; and Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini…
As Dolce & Gabbana continue to evolve, their work remains an emblem of refined exuberance. Their ability to infuse traditional craftsmanship with innovative vision ensures that their creations are not only admired but revered as works of art. In their hands, fashion transcends the ordinary, becoming a means to preserve culture, evoke emotion, and inspire awe. With every stitch, every shimmering bead, and every dramatic silhouette, Dolce & Gabbana remind the world of the enduring power of artistry – and the absolute unicity of their signature style.
The ateliers are the heart of Dolce&Gabbana’s Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, and Alta Gioielleria collections. Combining cutting-edge research with traditional craftsmanship, they bring the designers’ visions to life through the expertise of master artisans. Located in Milan, the ateliers employ 120 skilled artisans who create bespoke garments using both innovative techniques like the “collage” method and revived traditions such as cross-stitch embroidery. For this exhibition, some ateliers have been temporarily relocated, offering visitors a glimpse into the intricate creation process.
The images of queens, goddesses, and gods endow their creations with a strong symbolic power. The Fall/Winter 2019–20 collection is inspired by the stories of myths immortalized on Attic Greek pottery.
