Dolce & Gabbana Born in 1958 and 1962 respectively, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have carved out more than just a niche in the fashion industry. Rather, the duo have built an empire based on what they see as dignified, yet raw and sensual fashion design.
The Italian designers came together in 1982 and were fobbed off early on as 'too young' of all things. We wonder what those critics have to say now? Much of the style is said to come from Dolce's Sicilian origins, for which Madonna has become a big-time fan. D&G have even come up with designs for one of her world tours, which is likely to have helped them in a most positive fashion.
They are Partners both in life and in business, the pair met while working as assistants in an atelier in Milan. Sharing a love of the baroque, they made their name together in 1985, when the organizers of the Milano Collezioni invited them to take part in a fashion show to launch "New Talents". The following year, they presented their first independent women's ready-to-wear show. Since then, they have introduced menswear and a line of signature fragrances, and opened shops in Italy, Japan, Hong Kong and, in 1999,in London (the London salon, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is testament to the designers' love of mixing their own Mediterranean spirit with English eccentricity).
And up to now they still making and designing their products and D&G is always keeping up with the new trends.
