Dolce & Gabbana facts for kids

Dolce & Gabbana S.r.l.

Location on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Type	Società a responsabilità limitata
Industry	Fashion Design Beauty Real Estate
Founded	1985; 40 years ago (1985) Legnano, Italy
Founders	Domenico Dolce Stefano Gabbana
Headquarters	Milan, Italy
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Alfonso Dolce, CEO
Products	Fashion - RTW and accessories Watches and Jewelry Design Beauty - fragrance and make-up Food and Beverage
Revenue	€1.5 billion (2021)
Net income	€60.5 million
Number of employees	3150 (2021)

Dolce & Gabbana, also known as D&G, is a famous Italian fashion company. It was started in 1985 by two Italian designers, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The company creates fancy clothes, handbags, makeup, and perfumes. They also let other companies use their name for things like eyeglasses.

How Dolce & Gabbana Started

Early Days of the Fashion House

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana first met in 1982. They were both working for another Italian fashion brand. Domenico Dolce was born in 1958, and Stefano Gabbana was born in 1962. Domenico started designing clothes when he was very young.

In 1983, they decided to start their own design studio. They called it "Dolce & Gabbana." Their first collection for women was shown in 1985 at Milan Fashion Week. The next year, they opened their first store in Milan.

When they first started, they didn't have much money. They asked their friends to be models for their fashion shows. Their friends even used their own clothes and accessories. For one show, they used a bed sheet from Domenico's home as a stage curtain!

In 1986, they released their first collection that they produced themselves. It was called Donne Vere/Real Women. At first, sales were not very good. But Domenico's family helped them with money. Soon, their business grew.

Growing in the 1980s and 1990s

The fashion house became more and more known. In 1987, they showed their "The Leopard" collection. The next year, they began designing underwear and swimwear. By 1990, their products were sold in Japan and the United States.

In 1990, they also launched their first perfumes. They opened their first women's store in Milan. One of their early collections had clothes that could be worn in seven different ways! This was because they used Velcro and snaps.

Their fourth collection was inspired by Domenico Dolce's family roots in Sicily. It made a big impact in Italy. The ads for this collection looked like old Italian movies. One dress from this collection, called The Sicilian Dress, became very famous. It is known for showing off the body in a beautiful way.

In 1991, their men's collection won an award for being very new and creative. Famous singer Madonna wore their designs in 1991. This helped them become known around the world. In 1993, they worked with Madonna to design over 1500 costumes for her "Girlie Show" tour.

In 1994, they launched a new brand called D&G. This line was for younger people. Their perfumes also won many awards in the 1990s. By the end of the 1990s, their sales were very high.

In 1996, Dolce & Gabbana tried something new. They streamed their fashion show on the internet. They also designed costumes for the movie Romeo + Juliet.

Dolce & Gabbana in the 2000s

In the 2000s, Dolce & Gabbana worked with many music stars. They designed costumes for tours by Madonna, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston. They also designed clothes for Kylie Minogue.

The company also found inspiration in football. They designed official suits for the AC Milan football team from 2004 to 2014. In 2006, they started making accessories and leather goods.

In 2009, Dolce & Gabbana launched their first makeup line. The famous actress Scarlett Johansson was the face of their makeup ads.

The 2010s and Beyond

In 2011, Dolce & Gabbana combined their D&G line with their main Dolce&Gabbana line. This was to make their main brand even stronger. Many people in the fashion world saw Dolce & Gabbana as defining the fashion of the 2000s.

They continued to win awards, including "Designers of the Year" and "Men of the Year." In 2010, they celebrated their 20th anniversary with a big event in Milan.

In 2019, Dolce & Gabbana started offering clothes in more sizes. They became one of the first luxury fashion brands to offer sizes up to UK 22. This was a step towards being more inclusive for women of different body types.

Recent Years: The 2020s

In 2021, Dolce & Gabbana entered the world of digital art. They released their first collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These were unique digital creations, some of which also had physical versions. This was a big step for a major fashion house.

They also worked with designer Harris Reed for the 2021 Met Gala. They dressed model Iman Abdulmajid to make a statement about social fairness. In 2022, they teamed up with American celebrity Kim Kardashian for a collection called Ciao Kim.

Dolce & Gabbana often works with other Italian companies. They have made special products like chocolate pralines, coffee, and even Christmas cakes. In 2023, they won an award for their craft and artistry in sustainable fashion.

Different Product Lines

Dolce & Gabbana used to have two main lines: D&G and Dolce&Gabbana. In 2011, they combined them into one main brand, Dolce&Gabbana.

Dolce&Gabbana

This is the main luxury fashion brand. It focuses on classic and formal designs. They also make perfumes like 'The One'. In 2010, they worked with Madonna to create a line of sunglasses called MDG.

D&G

D&G was a younger, more expressive fashion line. It also offered watches. However, in 2011, Dolce & Gabbana decided to stop the D&G line. They wanted to focus all their energy on their main brand.

Other Products

Dolce & Gabbana has made many different types of products over the years:

• Bridal Collection: They had a wedding dress collection from 1992 to 1998.
• Underwear and Beachwear: They started making swimwear in 1989 and underwear in 2000.
• Eyewear and Watches: Eyeglasses started in 1998 and watches in 2000.
• Junior Collection: In 2001, they launched a line for children called D&G Junior.
• Accessories: They have made many types of bags and accessories, often with animal prints.
• Cosmetics: Their makeup line started in 2009.
• Jewelry: They launched fine jewelry in 2011, including necklaces and bracelets.
• Perfume: They have many popular perfumes like "Light Blue" and "The One."

Alta Moda

Alta Moda is Dolce & Gabbana's special high-fashion line. It started in 2012. These collections are like works of art, celebrating Italian craftsmanship. They are often shown in beautiful, historic places in Italy.

The main Alta Moda lines are:

• Alta Moda – For women.
• Alta Sartoria – For men.
• Alta Gioielleria – High jewelry for men and women.
• Alta Orologeria – High watches for men and women.

These shows are very exclusive and often inspired by Italian history, art, and culture. For example, in 2017, they had a show in Tokyo that mixed Japanese and Italian traditions. In 2021, they celebrated Venice's 1600th anniversary with a show where models arrived by gondolas. In 2022, they celebrated 10 years of Alta Moda in Sicily.

Dolce&Gabbana Home Collection

In 2021, Dolce & Gabbana launched their first Casa (Home) collection. It includes furniture and home accessories. The designs feature themes like leopard print, zebra print, and Italian patterns. They work with Italian artists to create these unique pieces.

Working with Others

Sports Teams

Dolce & Gabbana has worked with several sports teams. Since 2004, they have designed clothes for the A.C. Milan football team. They also created suits for the Italy national football team. In 2010, they partnered with Chelsea F.C. to design their uniforms.

Other Products

They have also teamed up with other companies to create special products:

• In 2006, they made a special Motorola V3i phone.
• In 2009, they made a special Sony Ericsson phone with 24-karat gold.
• They worked with Citroën to design a special car.
• In 2010, they released a "gold edition" of Martini vermouth.
• In 2024, they teamed up with Stabilo for a limited edition set of highlighters.

Kitchen and Food Products

Since 2016, Dolce & Gabbana has worked with Smeg to create kitchen appliances. These appliances, like refrigerators and toasters, have colorful Italian designs. They also collaborated with Italian coffee company Bialetti for a special coffee set.

They have also worked with food makers. They created special Christmas cakes with Fiasconaro and a rose wine with Donnafugata. They even made chocolate pralines with Baci Perugina.

Supporting New Designers

Dolce & Gabbana helps new and talented fashion designers.

Miss Sohee

They worked with South Korean designer Sohee Park, also known as Miss Sohee. She is known for her unique and detailed designs. In 2021, Dolce & Gabbana announced they would work with her for Milan Fashion Week.

Matty Bovan

British designer Matty Bovan showed his collection at Milan Fashion Week with help from Dolce & Gabbana. They gave him money, design help, and access to their old designs. His collection mixed his own style with Dolce & Gabbana's classic looks.

Tomo Koizumi

Dolce & Gabbana also worked with Japanese designer Tomo Koizumi. He is known for his bright and artistic designs. He used Dolce & Gabbana's famous Carretto print in his creations.

Advertising Campaigns

Dolce & Gabbana creates memorable advertising campaigns. Their first perfume ad starred actress Monica Bellucci. It showed women in Italy living their daily lives. Another ad for their perfume Sicily was set at a Sicilian funeral.

Gisele Bündchen starred in the 2006 ad for their perfume "The One." Dolce & Gabbana has worked with many famous photographers and filmmakers for their ads. They have won awards for their campaigns.

Style and Inspiration

Dolce & Gabbana's style is inspired by Italian movies and a relaxed, artistic look. Their designs often use deep colors and animal prints. Domenico Dolce says they design clothes to tell a story, like making a movie.

They focus on making clothes that look good on people. They are very proud of their connection to Sicilian culture. They see Sicily as their most important source of ideas.

The brand is known for styles like corsets worn as outerwear and pinstripe suits. Their ads often feature strong women. Their designs are praised for making the female body look beautiful.

In 2016, Dolce & Gabbana launched a special fashion line for Muslim women. It included hijabs and abayas with flower prints.

Books by Dolce & Gabbana

Besides designing clothes, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have written many books. These books often feature photos of their work or stories. Money from many of these books goes to charities.

Some of their books include:

• 10 Anni Dolce & Gabbana (about their first ten years)
• Hollywood (photos of movie stars)
• Calcio (photos of soccer players)
• Music (photos of musicians)
• 20 Years Dolce & Gabbana (a history of their collections)
• Family (focuses on family life)
• David Gandy (about their work with model David Gandy)
• Dolce&Gabbana Alta Gioielleria: Masterpieces of High Jewellery (about their high jewelry)

Stores and Exhibitions

Dolce & Gabbana has many offices and stores around the world. They have boutiques in cities like Beverly Hills, Chicago, and New York City. Their products are sold in over 80 countries.

They also use their spaces to host art and photography exhibitions. For example, they have shown works by artists like Ron Arad and photographers like Enzo Sellerio. They also host book launches and exhibitions of their own clothing.

Caring for the Planet

Dolce & Gabbana is working to be more sustainable. In January 2022, they announced they would stop using animal fur in their products. Instead, they will use fake fur and recycled materials. They worked with animal welfare groups on this decision.

In August 2022, they also helped start the Re.Crea Competition. This competition aims to find new ways to manage textile waste and promote recycling in the fashion industry.

See also

In Spanish: Dolce & Gabbana para niños