Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

7 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Dolce&Gabbana: Past to Present 1985 • Début of the Dolce & Gabbana brand at Milan Fashion Week 1986 • First self-produced collection and fashion show 1987 • First women’s knitwear collection • Opening of a new showroom in Milan 1989 • First women’s fashion show in Tokyo • First lingerie and beachwear collections 1990 • First men’s collection • First men and women’s fashion show in New York • Opening of the showroom on Broadway in New York 1991 • Received the “Woolmark Award” for the most innovative men’s collection of the year • Launched accessories line with first licensed women’s scarves collection 1992 • First licensed collections of men’s ties and men’s beachwear First women’s perfume: Dolce & Gabbana Parfum 1993 • Opening of new showroom for men’s and women’s collections in Milan • Dolce & Gabbana Parfum awarded the International Prize of the Perfume Academy for “Best Feminine Fragrance” • Dolce & Gabbana exclusively designs 1,500 costumes for Madonna’s World Tour The Girlie Show 1994 • Launch of a new collection: D&G Dolce & Gabbana • Opening of the Dolce & Gabbana flagship store in Milan • Launch of the first men’s fragrance Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme 1995 • Opening of the D&G Dolce & Gabbana shop in Milan • Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme awarded the International Prize of the Perfume Academy for “Best Masculine Fragrance” • Opening of the designers’ atelier studio in Milan 1996 • To celebrate the brand’s tenth anniversary, 10 Years Dolce & Gabbana is published: a collection of the most significant advertising and editorial images • Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the recipients of the “Designer of the Year” award voted for by readers of the British magazine FHM 1997 • Inauguration of new factory to produce the Dolce & Gabbana women and men’s prêt-à-porter lines • Opening of two Dolce & Gabbana boutiques in New York • Publication of the book Dolce & Gabbana Wildness, a collection of the most significant editorial images based on the animal print motif 1998 • Opening of new showroom, 660 Madison Ave., New York • Madonna wears an exclusive Dolce & Gabbana outfit on the cover of her album Ray Of Light • Launch of the D&G eyewear and sunglasses collection 1999 • Dolce & Gabbana exclusively designs clothes and accessories for Whitney Houston’s 1999 World Tour 2000 • Launch of D&G Time, a watch collection for men and women • Opening of the new Dolce & Gabbana factory near Florence for the production of small leather goods and shoes • To celebrate Madonna’s latest album, Music, Dolce & Gabbana create her wardrobe, as well as the set-up of her performances, transforming New York’s legendary Roseland Ballroom and London’s Brixton Academy 2001 • Launch of the children’s collection D&G Junior • Introduction of “Special Pieces,” a series of exclusive one-of-a-kind ready-to-wear pieces created to fulfil the desires of the most demanding clients of the world • Launch of the new women’s fragrance Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue 2002 • Dolce & Gabbana exclusively designs for Kylie Minogue’s 2002 European tour Fever • Presentation of new Tokyo showroom and new company Dolce & Gabbana Japan 2003 • Opening of a new boutique in Milan, dedicated to men’s collections, plus a traditional Sicilian barber’s shop and lounge area • Opening of the first Dolce & Gabbana Vintage boutique Milan, with a new shop entirely dedicated to women’s accessories located adjacent • Launch of a new women’s fragrance Sicily Dolce & Gabbana. Italian actress Monica Bellucci is the face of the campaign • Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are honoured with “Best Designer of the Year” at the prestigious “GQMen of the Year Awards”, for outstanding achievement in men’s fashion design • Launch of Hollywood, a book that celebrates Hollywood and all the stars that have worn Dolce & Gabbana’s designs over the previous decade F or 30 years, Dolce & Gabbana have been synonymous with edgy, theatrical fashion. The duo’s signature motifs are immediately recognisable: an abiding love of their native Italy, and a deep connection to the arts, including theatre, opera and cinema, all combined with a truly rock-and-roll attitude. At their first show in 1985, they couldn’t afford models so sent their friends down the runway. Today, they are one of the most influential and successful luxury brands in the world. Along the way, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have never lost sight of their artistic vision, collaborating with the leading names in photography, cinema, sport, music and dance. They take pure joy in the artistic process, but the pair have also shown incredible business savvy and a sixth sense for knowing what their clientele want. Theirs is truly a fascinating history – here are just a few of the highlights.