SimplyAbuDhabi IX

8 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I How has your hometown influenced the brand? DD: In my case, it has influenced the brand in a very profound way. I was born in Sicily – and I continuously go back to the region as a source of inspiration. This Spring/Summer collection, for example, is a celebration of Sicily through its culture and beauty. SG: Our love for Italy dominates everything. Italy has always been for everybody synonymous with beauty, style, and delicious food. All of these elements are part of the Mediterranean aspects everybody knows and which we try to enhance through our work. People often refer toDolce &Gabbana as the same person. Would you say you two are very alike? SG: We know! Sometimes somebody will call us “dolcegabbana” – everything attached! Some people, who know us, know that we are totally different. We complement each other. We have been together for over 25 years and the best thing between us is that we often do not even speak to one another because we already know what the other thinks. DD: Although we discuss matters, I already know his answer and he already knows my thoughts. SG: For me, it could not be otherwise, I do not know how to work without being able to discuss with him. It is through the contrast between our personalities that we have built Dolce & Gabbana! What would you say are the biggest differences in your personalities? SG: Oh, the list is long. We have two different characters and often we start from different points of view and completely different ideas. I’m at the right and he’s at the left. DD: Then through dialogue, we can find a solution that would fit us both. It’s a delicate balance and difficult to understand for someone who is on the outside, but the world we have built is unique precisely because it was born from our two personalities, complementary in certain things, contrasting in others. With two great minds working within a great brand, does decision making come easily? SG: In the creation of our collections we speak a lot and visualize the clothes. But since we have very different characters, often we start from diametrically opposite positions. DD: For example, I would do everything squared. I love Futurism, straight lines and rigor. Stefano is more romantic. SG: Although there are no fixed rules, after all these years of working together, we know each other very well. We know what is pleasing to one another and every collection is a world unto itself. Sometimes it is more evident from my perspective and sometimes from his. It depends. Stefano Gabbana, Bianca Balti and Domenico Dolce