For more than four decades, Italian fashion visionaries Domenico Dolce, 67, and Stefano Gabbana, 63, have revealed their identity through design. Rather than merely representing Italian heritage, they invite the world inside it—through exquisitely crafted creations such as sculptural dresses, vivid coats, embroidered corsets, hand-painted gowns, and, more recently, sharply modern pieces that fuse masculine structure with feminine elegance.
Rooted deeply in culture, the duo’s work consistently draws inspiration from home. Yet their eponymous label, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G), has grown into a global fashion powerhouse.
Today, the Milan-based fashion house continues its expansion across the Middle East, with new openings planned in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. “The Middle East fascinates us for its rich and ancient culture,” the designers say in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times. “For this reason, we hope to be increasingly present and closer to this region.”
Across the Gulf, Dolce & Gabbana is placing renewed emphasis on its beauty universe—spanning makeup, skincare, and fragrance. “Since we brought the beauty division in-house in 2022, we’ve been making significant efforts in the region to better meet consumer needs,” says Stefano Gabbana. “Beauty is a world that offers experiences beyond the product, allowing us to build a deeper connection with customers who identify even more strongly with our values.”
He adds with pride, “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.” Marking another milestone for the brand, Dolce & Gabbana has also appointed its first regional beauty ambassador: Egyptian actress and model Huda El Mufti.
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are widely regarded as one of fashion’s most successful creative partnerships, united by an extraordinary personal and professional bond. The pair first crossed paths in Milan in the 1980s while working as assistants to designer Giorgio Correggiari. In 1984, they launched their eponymous label, Dolce & Gabbana.
Reflecting on the brand’s enduring success, Dolce attributes it to strong roots and a clear narrative. “Dolce & Gabbana was born from our passion and love for our work in 1984,” he says. “Since then, through our collections, we have told the world about our country—its traditions, attention to detail, tailoring, and, above all, family and love.”
For Stefano Gabbana, success is never accidental. “It is not a gift,” he says. “It must be nurtured day after day with passion. You can be lucky once or twice with a collection that is well received and sells well, but when the season ends, you must begin again. Luck is not enough. What truly matters are roots and values, dedication, and resilience.”
The designers see their partnership as one built on contrast and balance. “We don’t always agree—often it’s quite the opposite,” Domenico Dolce admits. “I gravitate toward clean, linear silhouettes, while Stefano loves colour and pattern. But that exchange of ideas is what makes us stronger.” Gabbana echoes the sentiment, noting that their creative tension fuels innovation. “Working side by side allows us to constantly surprise each other and explore new directions. Even when we argue, we find harmony by shaping solutions that reflect both our visions.” In the end, he says, every collection is a synthesis.
For Dolce and Gabbana, fashion goes far beyond clothing. It is deeply rooted in memory, tradition, and Italian identity—particularly their enduring connection to Sicily. The island, they say, has always been their “first dream and first love.” That influence has shaped many of their most iconic collections, including a standout 2013 line inspired by the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale Cathedral near Palermo. The following season paid tribute to Saint Agatha, patron saint of Catania, with gold-filigree bodices adorned with semiprecious stones and intricate mosaic motifs. These elements appeared across miniskirts, bags, tunics, and brocade sheath dresses—transforming history and heritage into wearable art.
Reverence for Sicilian culture remains a defining constant at the heart of Dolce & Gabbana’s identity. This enduring devotion was powerfully reaffirmed in Les Siciliennes, the maison’s most recent haute couture presentation in Paris—an ode to the island that continues to shape their aesthetic language.
“I’m Sicilian, and for me, everything began in Sicily,” says Domenico Dolce. “It is a place that constantly calls me back, completing a full circle. I left for Milan at 20 to pursue fashion, but my bond with Sicily was never broken. Sometimes, you have to leave home to rediscover who you are.” While Stefano Gabbana hails from Milan, Dolce notes that his partner has long shared an equally profound affection for the island. “Together, we wanted to tell the story of Sicily’s extraordinary beauty and protect the artisanal heritage that defines it—lace and crochet, ceramics and majolica, Sicilian cart decorations, basket weaving. These traditions deserve to be preserved and passed on.”
That sentiment is echoed by Gabbana, whose admiration for Sicily is deeply personal. “I love everything about this island—the vibrant colours, the breathtaking landscapes, village festivals, incredible food, and rich folklore,” he says. “It is a living place that welcomes you and embraces you. Through our collections, we strive to capture its essence, because beautiful things must be protected so they can live on in everyone’s heart.”
Couture Collection
Dolce & Gabbana’s latest haute couture collection in Rome celebrated the grandeur of Ancient Rome, with jewellery and designs reflecting the timeless allure of the Eternal City. The collection also drew inspiration from Italy’s 1950s “golden age,” evoking cinematic icons such as Anna Magnani, Sophia Loren, Isabella Rossellini, and Monica Bellucci. “These figures help create an unforgettable imagery admired worldwide,” the designers note, while also acknowledging a new generation of compelling Italian muses emerging today.
The duo’s admiration for Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti, 27, is evident. Currently engaged to Leonardo DiCaprio and the face of the Light Blue fragrance campaign, Ceretti has been working with Dolce & Gabbana since she was just 15. “Vittoria embodies a unique blend of Mediterranean charm, sophistication, elegance, and determination,” Dolce explains. “We immediately recognized something special in her.”
A-listers continue to be drawn to the brand’s iconic creations, with Madonna standing out as a longtime friend and ambassador since the early 1990s. Her legendary corset look remains a defining moment in the duo’s stylistic legacy.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana continue to redefine elegance through their iconic corsetry and bustiers, which have become staples on runways and in celebrity styling. The brand has revived bustier tops, corset dresses, and black lace, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. “Elegance is an interior dimension, an aspect of one’s character that differs from person to person,” Dolce explains. “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.” Gabbana adds, “Beauty is a combination of character, temperament, energy, inner strength, and intelligence.”
Their aesthetic balances heritage and innovation. “We are inherently curious and avoid repetition,” Gabbana says. “From clothing to beauty, from design to jewellery, our universe revolves around our values and DNA. We draw from the past but stay attentive to current events and the world around us. Fashion mirrors reality, and it must evolve with the times.” Dolce notes that while technology has accelerated fashion, craftsmanship and creativity remain timeless. “The tools change, but love, craftsmanship, and creativity remain the same. The more pervasive technology becomes, the more we value handcrafted pieces.”
Spring/Summer Women’s 2026 collection
Their Spring/Summer Women’s 2026 collection, showcased at Milan Fashion Week in September, merges masculine rigour with feminine allure. Inspired by classic men’s pajamas, the collection offers an ultramodern reinterpretation that bridges boudoir and urban styles. Materials include fine cotton, French lace, black veil, silk, soft leather, and linen, in a palette of white, black, beige, brown, burgundy, gold accents, and leopard print—capturing the Maison’s signature irony and sophisticated vision.
Summary
Since 2016, Dolce & Gabbana have been creating abaya collections that celebrate Middle Eastern traditions with elegance and passion. “We were among the pioneers, as Western designers, in crafting abaya lines tailored for our customers,” says Dolce. “We are eager to continue this tradition because, in a sense, all women want to feel like queens: beautiful, desired, and admired.” Dolce highlights that Middle Eastern women are “captivating — elegant, chic, and exuding an unmistakable poise and style.” Gabbana adds, “We already have ideas for the new collection. We hope to surprise you!”
On their artistic impression of the UAE, Dolce comments, “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 countless milestones later, the designers acknowledge that learning remains central to their journey. This philosophy 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 once described.
