Fashion designer Domenico. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (D&G) - great Italian designers

The Western media is abuzz with the scandal that erupted after Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana announced their opposition to gay marriage and surrogacy. Elena Stafieva reflects on possible reasons these statements

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana gave an interview to the Italian magazine Panorama, where, among other things, they spoke about gay marriage, IVF and surrogacy - that is, the whole complex of phenomena that in the modern Western world are considered one of the main achievements in the field of human rights and literally a marker of the state of affairs in society with these same rights. They expressed themselves quite harshly: the family can only be traditional, no “womb for rent” and no “synthetic” children. They also added that all modern experiments with two dads and two moms will have consequences that “psychiatrists will soon face.” Only “an act of love” and only “you were born from a father and mother.” At the same time, Gabbana said that he wanted to have a family, and Dolce said that he was gay and had come to terms with the fact that he could not have children, and in general “you cannot have everything you want in life.”

In response, of course, public protest began to unfold - not immediately (magazine with an interview dated March 11), but gaining momentum more and more. Yesterday, Elton John, a famous gay rights activist who is married and has two children, finally spoke. He launched into a literal diatribe against Dolce and Gabbana - with an emotional range from “how dare you call my beautiful children “synthetic” through “ashamed of you to wag your judgmental little fingers at IVF” to “your archaic thinking is also behind the times.” , like your fashion." It must be said, not without rhetorical brilliance, while reasonably declaring that “IVF is a miracle that has made it possible for legions loving people- both gays and straights - to make their dream of having children come true.”

Dolce and Gabbana's strictly defined position certainly has many supporters. And in general, it has exactly the same right to publicity as the position of complete tolerance and political correctness. There is a powerful conservative movement in the Western world, although it does not determine the general movement of this world today. In any case, all this is absolutely within the framework of normal public discussion, if not for a few small details.

The point is not only that Domenico Dolce is openly gay, but Stefano Gabbana, who never came out, still for a long time performed with him in an ensemble. The fact is that in this situation a natural Griboyedov question arises: “Who are the judges?” - Dolce and Gabbana, convicted of tax fraud and literally miraculously (and millions in attorney fees) avoided prison? Those who expressed these traditionalist beliefs in the Panorama magazine, owned by Silvio Berlusconi, also a well-known advocate family values and morality? Really? And these people are forbidding us to have test tube babies?

But the most interest Ask: Why did they do this - people from the fashion world, where this kind of conservatism, to put it mildly, is not welcome? It was completely clear what kind of reaction the idea of ​​“no children for gays” might now cause, even in Italy, where, despite all the nepotism and love for mothers (these cultural clichés, by the way, were exploited in the latest Dolce & Gabbana show), there is Pope Francis , who recently said that homosexuals should not be discriminated against, but, on the contrary, should be integrated into society, referring specifically to family issues. And where were their PR people, without whom, as you know, this kind of big interview in a national publication usually cannot happen?

I see one explanation for this - and it’s quite convincing. Dolce & Gabbana do indeed make quite conservative fashion - one cannot but agree with Elton John here. And this kind of pomp, richness and elegance, and in general the “gold and stones” style, are especially popular in certain markets. And, I think, it was precisely these markets that Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were targeting with their loud statement (despite the fact that they may quite sincerely think so). These are traditionalist societies in which homophobia is an indispensable part of their archaic way of life. For example, try to tell Arab men, who pay huge Dolce & Gabbana packages for their wives and daughters, about gay rights to marriage and family. Or, for example, to deputies State Duma, doing the same in Milan's Dolce & Gabbana boutique in Corso Venezia.

Whatever it is: deep convictions, tax penalties or falling sales - let them do well, because in a free world there should not only be gay marriage and surrogacy, but also a place for any conservatism as long as it does not threaten directly no one's rights. So I sincerely hope that the boycott that Elton John called for will be compensated by grateful Russian and Arab clients.

Domenico Dolce is a co-owner and founder of the company Dolce & Gabbana, a designer and fashion designer from Italy. Its origin foreshadowed young man the future of an ordinary tailor, owner of a small studio. But hard work, talent, self-confidence and perseverance made the man the main trendsetter in the world.

Domenico Dolce was born on August 13, 1958 on the largest Italian island of the Mediterranean Sea (Sicilia), in the south of the country, near the city (Palermo). Head of the family – Alfonso Dolce ran a small sewing workshop, and his mother worked as a manager in a lingerie store. There was not enough money; the store and workshop did not bring in much income.

Parents did not spoil Domenico and his brother and sister with new toys and beautiful clothes, and the mother herself walked around the house in her father’s old clothes. Alfonso decided so, and his decisions were not discussed. However, the boy never saw his parents quarrel.

The father constantly took his son to his work, so that, according to tradition, he would inherit family craft. At the age of 6, Domenico learned to sew, although his outfits were made from scraps and his first models were dolls. He tried very hard and achieved noticeable success, for which he received the nickname Mozart.

By the time he graduated from school, the young man had honed his sewing skills so much that he could easily sew sleeves to a jacket in pitch darkness. Relatives expected that after school their son would work with his father in the workshop, but Domenico decided to do differently. He studied at the Istituto Marangoni (school of design and fashion) in Milan and at the Palermo Art School.

Having received his diploma, the young man gets a job as an assistant in a sewing studio.

Fateful acquaintance While working in the atelier, Dolce meets Stefano Gabbana.

• In 1982, both Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana decided to found a common company, Dolce & Gabbana.

• In 1985, young talents participated in the Milano Collezione fashion show, where their clothes for women were presented.
• After a successful event, the Dolce&Gabbana brand becomes famous. Spectators are delighted with the freshness of the solutions, and fashion critics speak positively about all the models they presented on the catwalk. In 1988, designers presented the first batch of glamorous ready-to-wear clothes, which were sewn in the atelier of Domenico's father. It was
• a new style for less than ideal women, including corsets, stockings, shirts. Every client of fashion designers felt charming and sexy when choosing this brand. And the first star fan of the fashion designers was the actress and model Isabella Rossellini.
• In 1990, a new collection designed for men was launched. In the models, the designers embodied a successful mixture of Italian classics and overt sexuality. The first male star to choose the Dolce&Gabbana brand was musician Sting. Subsequently under famous brand began to produce not only clothes, but also perfumes, cosmetics,

Cell phones and even cars. The Dolce and Gabbana duo never stops in their achievements. They are their own main competitors. Domenico thinks

best success – the one that is yet to come. The clothes of fashion designers are full of optimism, which is transmitted to their fans. In 2013, colleague Domenico Dolce Stefano was included by Forbes magazine in the list of thousands

richest people

planets. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Personal life

Since 1985, the partners began to live together, but could not reveal their feelings to the public until 2000.

• In 2004, the lovers separated, but continue to live in the same house. Each of them began new relationships., in 2013 they did not include 1.3 billion dollars in the declaration. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were sentenced to imprisonment for 1 year and 8 months and a fine of 500 thousand euros. allows you to replace a prison sentence of up to 3 years with house arrest. The appeal of the verdict confirmed the original court decision.
• According to Domenico and Stefano, they would really like to have a biological child together to leave him his fashion empire. But Italian laws do not provide for this and the couple could only care for two Labradors.
• In 2015, Dolce and Gabbana announced their protest against the adoption of children by couples of non-traditional sexual orientation.

• They also opposed surrogacy. This step turned many public people against them, who declared a boycott of this fashion house. The most vehement opponent of their ideas was Elton John. In the press there are different spellings of the name of the company and the line, but this is not confusion. The Dolce&Gabbana brand is written without a space
• , and the company name “Dolce & Gabbana” is written with a space. About famous fashion designers in the series "Sex in big city

• "("Sexand the City"), the directors filmed an entire episode. Madonna once ordered Dolce & Gabbana to design and sew 1,500 suits for her new tour.

They were so happy that they got to work without even discussing the price. After 2 months, the stage outfits were ready. The designers said in this regard that they do not think about money, since they have already earned more than they can spend. Dolce & Gabbana (Dolce and Gabbana) is an Italian fashion house founded by fashion designers Domenicano Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The brand produces fashionable clothes

, accessories, cosmetics and perfumes.

Brand history Dominico Dolce was born in the Italian province of Palermo. in 1958

. He began working in his father's studio very early. Stefano Gabbana was born in Milan in 1962 . After studying graphic design

he worked for various advertising agencies. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana met in the early 80s, when Domenico was hired at the atelier owned by Stefano. At the end of 1982 , after the return of the latter with the obligatory military service , they decided to join forces and opened their own studio, specializing in fashion consulting services. Initially, each of the fashion designers worked under, later, in order to save money, they decided to combine their efforts under a single brand. After three years of partnership, the opening of a fashion house was announced They were so happy that they got to work without even discussing the price. After 2 months, the stage outfits were ready. The designers said in this regard that they do not think about money, since they have already earned more than they can spend. .

The first Dolce & Gabbana show took place in October 1985, together with shows from other emerging fashion designers at the very end of Milan Fashion Week. Collection women's clothing entitled Real Women was demonstrated not by professional fashion models, for whose work aspiring fashion designers had no money to pay, but ordinary women, found through friends and acquaintances. There was also no money to buy accessories to complement the clothes - all of them were personal jewelry of the invited models. For the stage backdrop, sheets brought from Domenico Dolce's home were used. The first collection had good feedback in the press, but did not bring the expected commercial success and the partners intended to close the business. Gabbana canceled the order for fabric for the next collection, but the Dolce family was able to provide them with the amount necessary to continue work. Thanks to the Christmas holidays, the fabric supplier did not liquidate the order, so upon returning to Milan after a trip to Dolce’s parents in Sicily, the fashion designers were able to immediately get to work on the next collection. A few months later they took part in a fashion show Milano Collezioni which made them famous.

The following collection was shown in 1986, At the same time, the first Dolce & Gabbana boutique was opened in Milan. In 1987 a separate line of fashionable knitwear was launched, and in 1989— lines of underwear and swimwear. Collection 1988, the fourth in a row, became the first, inspired by the national Sicilian flavor and traditions.

In 1990 The first Dolce & Gabbana men's collection was presented, awarded the prestigious Woolmark Award.

Gradually, the brand became popular and such celebrities as Sting and Woody Harrelson appeared among its clients. Fashion designers gained real fame after the popular singer Madonna appeared in a corset from They were so happy that they got to work without even discussing the price. After 2 months, the stage outfits were ready. The designers said in this regard that they do not think about money, since they have already earned more than they can spend. at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 1992 the company presented its first perfume product - Dolce & Gabbana Parfum. In 1993 this fragrance received an award from the International Academy of Perfumery.

The spring-summer 1996 collection was distinguished by caftan dresses (long black floor-length dresses without sleeves, with hoods and high slits on the sides, complemented by black scarves) and was particularly successful: 650 stores from Europe, America and Australia placed orders for it.

In February 2009 The Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up line of cosmetics was launched, created by designers in collaboration with makeup artists Pat McGrath. Scarlett Johansson becomes the face of the advertising campaign.

In March, in honor of the launch of the cosmetics line, Dolce&Gabbana produced and financed the exhibition “Extreme Beauty in Vogue” organized by American Vogue. The exhibition presented 89 works from the archives of the most famous fashion photographers from the 30s of the twentieth century to 2009 (Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, etc.).

In June, the first online D&G boutique opened at www.dandgstore.com, offering the brand's clothing and footwear, as well as the D&G Underwear, D&G Beachwear, D&G Eyewear, D&G Jewels and D&G Time collections. The site supplied brand products to 31 countries around the world.

In September, Dolce&Gabbana presented an exclusive limited-edition line of sunglasses and optical glasses “Gold Edition” with 18-karat gold plating.

In 2011 designers announced the decision to combine lines D&G And They were so happy that they got to work without even discussing the price. After 2 months, the stage outfits were ready. The designers said in this regard that they do not think about money, since they have already earned more than they can spend.. Thus, the spring-summer 2012 collection during Milan Fashion Week for a more affordable casual clothing brand D&G became the last one.

Dolce and Gabbana are known for their collaboration with representatives of the world of show business: they created costumes for the Drowned World Tour - the concert tour of Madonna, stage performances of Missy Elliot, Beyonce, Mary Blige, Kylie Minogue and other performers. With many of the stars for whom Domenico and Stefano (sometimes with their own hands) make concert costumes, they are friends and closely communicate with their families.

In addition, designers constantly conduct unique advertising campaigns, which also involve celebrities and show business stars. Monica Bellucci has been collaborating with designers and advertising their Pret-a-Porte clothing for 10 years. Supermodel Naomi Campbell not only performs at their shows, but also represents cosmetics, perfume lines, bags and clothing.

July 9, 2012 The first collection was presented in the city of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily Haute Couture brand Dolce&Gabbana. The show of the collection with the Italian name Alta Moda was held in strict secrecy. Guests were prohibited from taking photographs or writing messages on Twitter. The show was attended by 80 of the Fashion House's most loyal clients, several editors from famous publications and celebrities. Guests included Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Anna Dello Russo, Franca Sozzani, Scarlett Johansson, Laetitia Casta, Bianca Brandolini, Monica Bellucci, Stephanie Seymour, Isabella Rossellini, Vladislav Doronin, Naomi Campbell, Lena Perminova, Ulyana Sergeenko and others. Only The Daily Telegraph, Le Figaro and Corriere della Sera were admitted to press. The 73 sets sold out immediately after the show. The collection featured outfits made from Sicilian lace and thin transparent fabrics, with corsets, many decorative details, hand-applied floral patterns.

In January 2013 Dolce & Gabbana presented their second Haute Couture collection for spring-summer 2013. A private show called Alta Moda was held in the brand's Milan showroom. The collection was created in light colors using rich lace trim and volumetric applications self made. The show was closed by a model in wedding dress, whose bustier was made of gold. The designers complemented the looks with coral earrings and rings decorated with diamonds and pearls. According to the designers, the collection was inspired by the architectural masterpieces of Milan.

Men are designers whom no one separates anymore, constantly talking about them as something whole, about a creative union.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana: biography

Stefano was born in Milan, a city where everything is saturated with fashion and where it is impossible not to love it. Family history Stefano is very curious: his mother raised him alone, and his father was famous and incredibly rich Italian stylist, who provided but did not raise his son.

Thanks to financial wealth Stefano could afford to follow fashion trends and every season I bought a trendy item at the Fiorucci store. By to a greater extent The boutique sold bright and even outrageous outfits for teenagers. Stefano loved to dress fashionably, but he never thought that someday he himself would dress others.

Since childhood, Stefano had artistic talent. He drew very beautifully and did it all the time. Of course, that's why he graduated from Art College, where he studied graphic art. Having received a diploma as a creative director, he did not work in his specialty for a day. But soon he got a job as an assistant in one of the Milan studios.

Dominico Dolce, a future ally in sewing.
Italian designer Dominico was born in Sicily. His father, although not a rich man, was the manager of a small garment factory, and the mother took care of the well-being of the family and ran a lingerie store.
The father’s strict morals were reflected in the boy’s upbringing: the child was not pampered, they rarely bought toys or beautiful clothes, and from the age of 6 Domenico worked with his father at the factory.

The boy mastered the art of sewing with lightning speed and was a first-class needleworker. Among his acquaintances he received the nickname “Mozart” - for his amazing skills and even genius. And it doesn’t matter that it’s not in music, but in sewing. The child liked the craft so much that even free time he did not run around with the rest of the guys, but made tiny dresses from the remaining scraps. Fate promised him to continue his father's business and work in a factory all his life, but Domenico decided to argue with this, so he entered the University. Two years later, he realizes that this education is of no use to him and begins studying at an art school.
Completely different and absolutely identical at the same time - they immediately realized that life would connect them. Then they decided that they would try to enter the world of fashion together.

In 1982, sewing partners opened a small studio in Milan and began actively working on creating their first collection. Financial difficulties did not break the fashion designers, but their talent and inexhaustible imagination led to the presentation of their debut collection. True, the show took place in one of the capital’s cafes - in order to save money.

Just three years after opening their own studio, fashion designers were invited to take part in the Milano Collezioni show. The collection specially designed for the event was a success. Fashion designers demonstrated clothing models for real women - brave, strong, confident, but not perfect.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana: collections

And in 1986, the partners presented new collection on the show Real Woman. Fashion designers tirelessly draw sketches, develop designs and sew unique outfits.

Just a year later they release their first knitwear collection. And in 1989 - a collection of swimsuits and lingerie.

In 1987, friends and colleagues opened a show-room, and a couple of months later - a whole store.
Success preceded all the ventures of the partners, and in 1988 they signed a contract with the Onward Kashiyama group, thanks to which they conquered the Japanese market. In the same year, assistance was offered by the Genny group, which decided to pour its investments into the fast-growing company of partners. Soon Dominico and Stefano opened boutiques in Singapore, Hong Kong and Seoul.

In 2006, the partners were asked to develop a uniform design for the Italian national football team. The proposal was accepted.
Constant work led to stunning success and in just 10 years, from a small studio in the center of Milan, their business grew into a world-famous company under the Dolce & Gabbana brand.
A little later the fact was revealed personal relationships between partners. They publicly spoke about their relationship in 2000, which shocked, but did not disgust the world public.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana: personal life

Unique, bold, creative - combining best qualities they were able to ascend to the fashionable Olympus and stay there forever. Their names are already recorded in world history fashion, but they continue to develop their talent, generate ideas and bring beauty to the world in their interpretation.

“These two people managed to combine two incompatible things in one - seduction and bright colors, without which it cannot exist modern fashion, And " old world“Sicily, where ancient traditions are sacredly revered - loyalty, vendetta, and so on.”
Isabella Rossellini, Italian actress.

“Your clothes are very sexy and have a sense of humor - just like me!”
Madonna

Dolce & Gabbana is not just a famous and iconic brand in the fashion world, it is also a duo. Duet of two talented Italian fashion designers– Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. South of Italy and North. Conservatism and freedom of morals. Strict black dresses that women of the south of Italy love to wear and riot bright colors. They are so different and at the same time together.

Dominico Dolce

Dominico Dolce was born in southern Italy. Conservative, mafia-like, true to tradition, distrustful of outsiders, the south. His father was a manager sewing studio, mother - manager of a lingerie store. But the family lived quite poorly, the father did not bring in much income and, as Dominico himself recalled, his mother carried the child to term at home old clothes father.

Dominico helped his father in the atelier since childhood; at the age of six he skillfully held a thread and a needle in his hands; as a child he loved to sew miniature dresses and suits. But, however, after graduating from school, he did not go to work in his father’s workshop, as his father himself probably expected, but entered an institute, where he did not study for a long time; his studies seemed boring to him. And having studied at an art school behind him, Dominico set off to conquer the capital of Italy, and one of the capitals of world fashion, Milan.

Stefano Gabbana

Things were much better for Stefano Gabbana; he was born in the northern part of Italy, into a fairly wealthy family. Stefano's parents spared no money for their son; he always had enough money for pocket expenses, loved to visit clubs and noisy parties, and still does, unlike Dominico, who was brought up in conservative traditions. Stefano loved fashionable and good clothes, he could afford to buy clothes from Fiorucci, a rather expensive brand that produced clothes that were very popular among Italian youth - bright, catchy.

Stefano loved to draw since childhood and, having trained as a “creative director,” set off, like Dominico, to conquer Milan.

There, in Milan, they met, initially working as assistants to designers; in 1982 they would open their own studio. At first, the joint venture between Dolce and Gabbana experienced significant financial difficulties, and therefore their first show took place in one of the city cafes. But Dolce and Gabbana's clothes were interesting and are gradually becoming popular. So in 1985 they were invited to the Milano Collezioni fashion show in the category of young talents. At the show they presented clothes for Real Women - business, successful, but not ideal woman.

After the Milano Collezioni show, Dolce and Gabbana became popular. In 1987, their studio moved to a new, better location. In 1989, their first collection of lingerie and swimwear was released. In 1992 they released their first. And in 1993, this fragrance received an award from the International Academy of Perfumery. They are engaged in both accessories and the production of clothing for men, and in 1996 they released their first men's perfume.

Since 2006, Dolce&Gabbana has dressed the Italian national football team. Celebrity clients of Dolce&Gabbana include Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Sting and Madonna, for whom they managed to work for practically nothing.

It so happened that when Madonna, who had always been an idol for Dolce and Gabbana, ordered them dresses for her tour, the fashion designers, out of happiness, forgot to discuss the price. They sewed the suits, the number of which amounted to 1,500 pieces, to the utmost short term- two month. Dolce and Gabbana later said that: “Perhaps we don’t think about the cost of our labor because we have already earned much more more money than they can spend.”

In addition to the creative duo Dolce and Gabbana, until 2004 they were practically married couple, my gay they didn't hide it. Since 2004, their duet has remained only creative.

So different not only in upbringing, but even in appearance, Dolce and Gabbana are united by their love for Italian films of the 1950s and 60s of the twentieth century. They draw their inspiration from Mediterranean culture.