E-Paper
Sign In
Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | Shaban 1, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
20.1°C
iPhone | iPad
Android
Exclusive: Dolce & Gabbana on 40 years of iconic Italian fashion and Gulf expansion plans
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana reflect on their complementary partnership, and the label's growing focus on the Middle East market
For four decades, Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce, 67, and Stefano Gabbana, 63, have been showing us who they are. They don’t simply represent Italian-ness; they let us see into it, through exquisite creations — curvaceous dresses, vibrant coats, embroidered corsets, hand-painted gowns, and now hyper-contemporary pieces that bridge masculine rigour and feminine sophistication.
The cultural essence of their clothing always keeps the design duo’s inspirations close to home. However, their namesake label, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G), has become a global force in the fashion industry.
Recommended For You
The Milan fashion house continues to expand in the Middle East, with new openings in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. “The Middle East fascinates us for its rich ancient culture,” the designers share in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times. “For this reason, we hope to be increasingly present and closer to this region.”
In the Gulf countries, the focus is also on the beauty segment, including makeup, skincare, and fragrance. “Since we brought the beauty division in-house in 2022, we’ve been making significant efforts in the region to effectively meet consumer needs,” Gabbana states. “Beauty is a world that offers comprehensive experiences beyond the product, allowing us to create a deeper connection with customers who can identify even more with our values.” And he proudly announces, “We have just opened our first beauty boutique in Dubai, located inside the Dubai Mall. This follows the opening of our store in Bahrain in August.” And for the first time, a regional beauty ambassador has been appointed: Egyptian actress and model Huda El Mufti.
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have formed one of the most successful design partnerships in fashion history, thanks to their exceptional bond. They first met in the 1980s in Milan while working as assistants to the designer Giorgio Correggiari. In 1984, they launched their eponymous brand, Dolce & Gabbana. If there is a key to their success, Dolce says it’s having a story to tell while having solid roots. “Dolce & Gabbana was born from our passion and love for our work in 1984. Since then, through our collections, we’ve told the world about our country: traditions, attention to detail, tailoring, but also family and love.”
Gabbana, however, believes that success is not a gift. “It must be nurtured day after day with passion. You can be lucky once or twice and present a collection that’s well-received and sells well, but once the season is over, you have to start over. Luck isn’t enough! That’s why your work requires roots and values, dedication, and resilience.”
The two designers have always viewed themselves as complementary forces. “We don’t always agree on everything; in fact, it’s often quite the opposite!” says Dolce. “For instance, I prefer clean and linear looks, whereas Stefano is more into colours and patterns. Stefano and I regularly exchange ideas and complement each other professionally.” Gabbana adds, “The beauty of working side by side lies in our ability to continually surprise each other and explore new directions. Although we often argue due to our strong personalities, we’ve learned to find harmony by developing solutions that reflect both my ideas and Domenico’s.” They always reach a consensus, a synthesis in the end.
For the duo, fashion transcends mere clothing. It’s about memory, tradition, and navigation of their Italian culture, with a specific emphasis on Sicilian heritage. Sicily, the largest Italian island, has always been “the first dream and love”, they say. Among the many collections inspired by Sicilian culture, one from 2013 that stood out evokes the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale Cathedral near Palermo. The following season, their collection paid homage to Saint Agatha, who became the patron saint of the city of Catania, Sicily. The collection featured gold-filigree bodices adorned with semiprecious stones and mosaic designs. The mosaic motif appeared in various pieces, including miniskirts, bags, tunics, and brocade sheath dresses.
The veneration for Sicilian culture remains an axiom that expresses the essence of Dolce & Gabbana even today. This fundamental aspect of their aesthetics emerged from “Les Siciliennes”, their most recent haute couture show in Paris.
“I’m Sicilian, and for me, everything began in Sicily,” stresses Dolce. “It’s a place that always feels like it’s drawing me back, creating a full circle. At the age of 20, I followed my passion for fashion and moved to Milan, but my connection to Sicily has never been broken. I needed to leave home to rediscover myself. Stefano, on the other hand, is from Milan but has always had a deep love for Sicily. Together, we embarked on a journey to share the extraordinary beauty of this land. The artisanal skills that have made Sicily renowned deserve preservation and transmission to future generations. This includes lace and crochet, ceramics, majolica, Sicilian cart decorations, and basket weaving.”
Gabbana has a deep affection for Sicily as well. “I love everything about this island: the vibrant colours, the breathtaking views, the lively village festivals, the delicious food, and the rich folklore,” he says. “It’s a living land that welcomes you and embraces you. Through our collections, we aim to convey the essence of this magical place, because beautiful things must be preserved so that they can find a place in everyone’s heart.”
The latest haute couture collection presented in Rome paid tribute to Ancient Rome, “the Eternal City” ― the jewellery reflected this theme. Their Rome show drew inspiration from Italian 1950s style as well. The designers express their fondness for the 1950s, calling it “Italy’s golden age”. Cinematic icons like Anna Magnani, Sophia Loren, Isabella Rossellini, and Monica Bellucci, though from different generations, perfectly embody this spirit. “They help to create an unforgettable imagery admired worldwide,” they add. When asked about new Italian muses emerging from the current generation, they respond, “Many fresh and fascinating personalities are coming to the forefront.”
Their admiration for Italian top model Vittoria Ceretti, 27, who is currently engaged to Leonardo DiCaprio, is evident. Vittoria was recently chosen to represent the Light Blue fragrance’s campaign. “Vittoria Ceretti is not just any face, but one of the most sought-after, recognised, and desired models in the world,” Gabbana states. “She began working with us when she was very young, just 15. We’re thrilled to witness her incredible career.” Dolce adds that Vittoria embodies a unique blend of Mediterranean charm and sophistication, combined with elegance and determination. “We immediately recognised something special about her.”
A-listers are often attracted to their pieces, and Madonna stands out in particular due to her long-standing relationship with the two designers. She has been a close friend and ambassador for their brand since the early 1990s. In fact, her iconic corset look played a significant role in defining their style.
The brand’s signature corsetry and bustiers have frequently been highlighted in celebrity styling and on runways. D&G has ‘resurrected’ bustier tops and corset dresses, along with black lace, bringing them back into the fashion world. And they did it artfully. “Elegance is an interior dimension, an aspect of one’s character that differs from person to person,” Dolce says. “It comes from within, and it’s the attitude that makes the difference. Elegance is not defined by a look; it’s an allure, a unique and indefinable je ne sais quoi (the French phrase is used to describe a quality or charm that is difficult to articulate or define precisely.)” Gabbana adds that beauty is a combination of various elements — “character, temperament, energy, inner strength, and intelligence”.
Their aesthetic has become a classic, incorporating tradition while also embracing evolution. “Both of us are inherently curious people. We strive to avoid repetition, which is why we’ve never shied away from trying new things,” emphasises Gabbana. “From clothing to beauty, from design to jewellery, our entire universe revolves around our values and our DNA. Drawing from the past is fundamental, but it’s important to revisit what has made history. We also must remain attentive to current events and the world around us. Fashion mirrors reality, and it must keep pace with the times, as well as with people’s tastes and desires.” Dolce says technology may have made everything faster and more accessible, but there is no reason to fear it. “The tools change, but love, craftsmanship, and creativity remain the same. The more pervasive technology becomes, the more we feel the need for love and handcrafted pieces.”
The new Spring/Summer Women’s 2026 collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week in September, artfully combines masculine rigour with feminine allure. Inspired by classic men’s pajamas, it reinterprets these elements with an ultramodern twist. The outcome is a new lexicon for contemporary woman that seamlessly bridges boudoir and urban styles, capturing the irony at the heart of the Maison’s vision. In terms of materials, the collection features fine cotton, French lace, a black veil, silk, soft leather, and linen, in a colour palette of pure white, absolute black, beige, brown, burgundy, gold accents, and leopard print.
Since 2016, the duo has also been crafting abaya collections that passionately celebrate local traditions. “We were among the pioneers, among Western designers, in creating abaya lines tailored for our customers,” says Dolce with pride. “We are eager to continue this tradition because, in a certain sense, all women want to feel like queens: beautiful, desired, and admired.” Dolce emphasises that “Middle Eastern women are captivating — elegant, chic, and exuding an unmistakable poise and style”. Gabbana notes that they already have some ideas for the new collection. “We hope to surprise you!”
When I ask them about how they perceive the UAE from an artistic lens, Dolce says, “Dubai and Abu Dhabi are vibrant, lively, and constantly evolving. Each time we visit, we are welcomed with such warmth and enthusiasm that we are truly speechless.”
Four decades and several milestones later, the duo admits that they are still learning, and that it is central to their growth. This belief embodies the spirit of the D&G woman, characterised by “a life that reaches beyond, complete with fantasy, turmoil, and always a story,” as Vogue noted some time ago.
Don’t just scroll. Know it all. Sign up for your daily UAE news fix.
Get the top stories of the day right in your inbox.
