Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda Doesn’t Fail to Impress Even After A Decade

Alta Moda’s growth story is no less than a dream but even after attaining this size, craftsmanship still remains as the core value of the collection.

Dolce & Gabbana’s signature is the exquisite exuberance of tailoring, but Haute Couture is unique, even in the world of Haute Couture.

This year, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the distinctly Italian answer to haute couture, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana presented their new “Alta Moda” collection.

The incredible runway show was held in Piazza del Duomo in Ortigia, an island in the region of Sicily, where the designers hail from.

“Classical and baroque, aristocracy and people, catharsis and prayer. Full of precious opposing qualities, the Piazza del Duomo embodies a way of life that has preserved the unique spirit of Syracuse for centuries. More than a physical location, the oldest heart of the city is the perfect setting to present the timeless creations of D&G Alta Moda,” said the brand.   

Sicily is a special place for Dolce. He was born there. “Syracuse is a special place for us,” Gabbana explained before the fashion show. “It’s in the southernmost part of Sicily, facing Africa. I love the feeling, I love the atmosphere, I love the stones, the colours, the people.”

The Alta Moda presentation was preceded by a performance of Cavalleria Rusticana, a classic Italian opera by Pietro Mascagni from the late 19th century, on a catwalk set up in front of the famous cathedral. “Tonight we tried to create an experience that has to do with the DNA of Dolce & Gabbana,” Dolce said.

The fashion show was a return to the origins, to the Italian tradition that underpins much of the imagination of these creators: “The sacred, the family, the black”, illustrated Domenico Dolce, and his partner, Stefano Gabbana, expressed, “Syracuse is the south of the south, it’s almost Africa. We love the stone with which it is built, we love the people, we love the culture”.

The silhouettes of traditional costumes were materialized in glamorous fabrics: tulle, lace, guipure. In the fashion show, we saw many designs in sophisticated black, with the models covering their heads with short scalloped lace veils. Transparencies, glitter, rhinestones and rococo details accompanied religious accessories such as rosaries, missals, cross-shaped jewellery or images of the Virgin.

Hints of yellow, lime green, pink, red and orange crept into an otherwise sombre palette, while oversized jacket dresses were laden with gold embroidery, dazzling crystal work or floral appliqués, and paired with rhinestone-covered boots or delicate floral tights. A hot pink micro-skirt with a matching cropped jacket shone brightly as the model moved, while another silver dress was fit for a Marvel heroine.

“Alta Moda, for me, is all about surprises,” Gabbana said. “Every time we start a collection, I want to surprise myself. Every time it’s a challenge. I want to say something more. And I’m full of curiosity.”

During the show, A-list celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone, Helen Mirren and Drew Barrymore wore glamorous Dolce & Gabbana designs. Lupita Nyong’o, singer Ciara, Casey Affleck, Kris Jenner, Christian Bale, Monica Belluci, Heidi Klum and Vanessa Bryant were also present on the Alta Moda front row.