The art of day-to-night dressing, with Dolce & Gabbana
Renowned for its ultra-feminine style, the Italian label offers dramatic and dreamy pieces inspired by its home country for SS21
No label captures the insouciant essence of the summer season quite like Dolce & Gabbana. Since its inception in 1985, the Italian label has become renowned for its vacation-worthy pieces, from ultra-feminine maxi dresses in technicolor hues fit for cocktails in Capri, to patterned skirts and puff-sleeves blouses replete with frills and bows that amp up traditional officewear.
Founded in Milan by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, its signature aesthetic of femininity is bold and beautiful, with each season taking inspiration from a different region of Italy. Prints are inspired by everything from Baroque architecture to gardens of roses and carts of Sicilian lemons that sit by the roadside, while accessories have long-drawn from the opulence of the country’s churches. This mash-up of influences results in pieces that are as perfect for days at the beach as at a party — simply adding a pair of oversized, floral earrings to a breezy midi dress offers a new take on day-to-night dressing.
Spring/summer ’21 was no exception. Titled Patchwork of Sicily, this collection of billowing gowns, micro skirts and puffball dresses drew inspiration from the design duo’s favorite Italian island. Sicily’s multicultural history comprises Spanish, Arabian and Norman influences, all of which can be seen in the patch-worked prints of the SS21 collection. Created during a moment of quiet, the brand delved into its own archive to revisit themes and pieces first presented in 1993, but which were given a contemporary twist.
A more urban mood also punctuated this collection, with sharp-shouldered blazers and tailored pants shown alongside easy sweatshirts to bolster off-duty style – perfect for packing in a tote bag and shrugging on over dresses for when the sun sets. Accessories also had a more everyday mood, with sneakers and slip-on mules that are perfect for pounding the pavements in the city. Never one to embrace the understated, however, sandals and shoulder bags were decorated with gargantuan gilt embellishment that offered a more regal mood. The perfect slice of la dolce vita.
“Its signature aesthetic of femininity is bold and beautiful, with each season taking inspiration from a different region of Italy
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