Stefano Gabbana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stefano Gabbana
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Gabbana in 2016
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| Born | 14 November 1962 |
| Alma mater | Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Known for | Dolce & Gabbana |
| Partner(s) | Domenico Dolce (1982–2003) |
Stefano Gabbana (born November 14, 1962) is an Italian fashion designer. He is famous for co-founding the luxury fashion company Dolce & Gabbana.
Contents
Early Life and Fashion Dreams
Stefano Gabbana was born in Milan, Italy, on November 14, 1962. His family came from the Veneto region. His parents, Piera and Lino, worked very hard, often having two or three jobs. Stefano became interested in fashion around age 15. He especially liked designers like Fiorucci. He studied graphic design and graduated from the Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche in Rome.
Building a Fashion Empire
Stefano Gabbana started his fashion journey in 1980. He met Domenico Dolce while they both worked for Giorgio Correggiari. Correggiari hired Gabbana to focus on sportswear. Gabbana learned a lot about sketching and tailoring there. He often asked Dolce for advice.
Correggiari was a big influence on the young designers. Gabbana said in 2013 that Correggiari taught them important lessons. He showed them what to avoid in the fashion world.
Starting Dolce & Gabbana
In 1983, Gabbana and Dolce decided to create their own company. Two years later, in 1985, they officially started Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A., often called D&G. In their partnership, Dolce usually handles the tailoring. Gabbana helps choose fabrics and makes sure the collection feels right. His main job is during fittings, where he checks the final look of the clothes.
Before their first big fashion show, Gabbana and Dolce held small shows. They used unusual places in Milan, like a small apartment or even a fast-food restaurant. They used their friends as models and didn't have professional help. These early shows created enough excitement to get them a spot at Milano Collezioni.
D&G's First Steps and Growth
The D&G brand made its first runway appearance in October 1985. This was at the Nuovi Talenti (New Talents) show during Milano Collezioni. In March 1986, D&G launched its first collection. They presented their own show called "Real Women." The first D&G store opened in Milan in 1987. In 1988, D&G partnered with Dolce's father, Saverio. He owned a manufacturing company near Milan.
D&G's clothing lines grew. They introduced lingerie and beachwear in 1989. Menswear followed in 1990. Their brand became known worldwide with fashion shows in Tokyo and New York in 1989 and 1990. In November 1990, D&G opened its New York City showroom. The brand released its first perfume, Dolce & Gabbana Parfum, in October 1992.
Becoming a Global Brand
Dolce & Gabbana became very famous in 1993. This happened when Madonna chose them to design costumes for her "Girlie Show World Tour." After that, they worked with many other famous people. These included Monica Bellucci, Kylie Minogue, Angelina Jolie, and Isabella Rossellini. By 1995, the brand also started making eyewear and sunglasses.
The D&G product line expanded to include many accessories. These were ties, belts, handbags, sunglasses, watches, and shoes. By 2003, the company's sales in Italy were higher than those of Armani, Gucci, Prada, and Versace. In 2009, D&G had 113 stores and 21 factory outlets. They employed 3,500 people and earned over €1 billion each year.
In 2023, Gabbana and Dolce started new projects in real estate. They announced plans for homes in Miami, USA, and Marabella, Spain. They also want to open a hotel in the Maldives. In June 2023, they announced a partnership with Havaianas. They will create a sandal collection with unique prints.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Gabbana and Dolce were partners in their personal lives. They lived in a villa in Milan and owned several properties. Their romantic relationship ended in 2004. However, they continued to work together professionally at D&G.
As of April 2024, Forbes magazine estimates Stefano Gabbana's net worth. It is around US$2.1 billion.
Supporting Good Causes
Gabbana strongly believes in protecting Italian craftsmanship. He thinks traditional artisans deserve more recognition. He feels their skills are highly valued around the world.
Charity Work and Initiatives
In 2016, Dolce & Gabbana supported the Dynamo Camp 2016 charity event. This event helps children with serious illnesses. They created a special doll that was sold to raise money. Before this, they made small versions of their popular designs for a UNICEF charity project.
In 2020, Dolce & Gabbana started the #Fattoincasa initiative. This was a series of online workshops. They encouraged people to do creative projects at home during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The initiative also aimed to raise money for COVID-19 research. The designers also gave their own money. Dolce & Gabbana provided financial help for a study. This study aimed to develop tools to diagnose and treat the coronavirus.
Later in 2020, Dolce and Gabbana launched another campaign. It was for their Devotion bag. A part of the money from sales went to fund the second phase of research. This research focused on developing a vaccine against COVID-19.
Awards and Recognition
Gabbana and Dolce have received many awards. These are for their work in fashion and culture. They won the International Woolmark Prize in 1991. In 1993, their perfume, Dolce & Gabbana Parfum, was named Best Fragrance of the Year.
In 2009, the City of Milan gave them the Ambrogino Gold medal. However, in 2014, they decided to return the medal. This was after some disagreements about taxes. Also in 2014, Gabbana and Dolce were honored by La Fondazione NY. This charity supports young Italian and American artists. Gabbana shared his love for movies at the event. He said, "We live with movies - our inspiration all the time is movies, and we make our collection like a movie."
Appearances in Film and TV
Gabbana appeared in the 2013 documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's. This film explored the fashion industry. He also had a small role in Woody Allen's film To Rome with Love in 2012. He was a presenter at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2002. Gabbana also had a role in Giuseppe Tornatore's 1995 movie The Star Maker.
See also
In Spanish: Stefano Gabbana para niños
