La Dolce (& Gabbana) Vita

Eva Mendes turns the photograph“American Girl in Italy” into reality waltzing through Sicily with designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana on either side, wearing one of their latest creations.  This image, so reminiscent of old world Italy, is equally representative of the Dolce & Gabbana brand.

While Rossellini, The Godfather, and Sophia Loren immortalized the golden age of Sicily on the silver screen, Dolce & Gabbana keep it alive through fashion.  Deeply rooted in local tradition the label spins old world Italian attitudes with a sense of irony and humor. Pinstriped suits worn by voluptuous women give a new face to machismo, while lace and leopard make women as dangerous as they are gorgeous.

The ever present dichotomy of masculine vs. feminine, innocent vs. sensual, is one of the labels most note-worthy calling cards.  This purple dress is a great example of that.  The sweet baby-doll cut and puffy cap sleeve give a sense of girly playfulness. The exposed zipper that runs the entire length of the back of the dress gives it an edge for a fetish-meets-feminine feel.

Intricate fastenings and corsetry are also unmistakable trademarks of the brand. Carrie Bradshaw may have made the exposed bra an essential fashion statement for the Sex in the City Generation, but Domenico and Stefano pioneered the underwear as outerwear trend. With their experience in corsetry and complex lingerie inspired construction it's not surprising Dolce & Gabbana have made a name for themselves as leading tailors in the industry.  Highly complicated patterns are flawlessly pieced together ensuring clean lines and incredible fit. This symphony set to needlepoint shows you just how intricately pieced and fitted each blazer and bustier really is...
  

Their attention to detail through piping, lining, and buttons is another factor that sets them apart.  It also contributes to some pretty astronomical price tags.  A typical blazer from the black label collection will set you back anywhere from $1650 to $2500, a dress $1800, and a pair of pants $650.

I love the details in this Dolce & Gabbana jacket. The unique raspberry color, contrast piping, and the hammered metal buttons make this piece extra special. I also love the detached pockets. It’s a new take on a traditional blazer transforming it into a great fashion piece.

For the basic facts (and a few not so basic) facts on the design duo visit the Fluent in a Flash page.