SimplyAbuDhabi IX

8 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Is there any particular era fromwhere you draw fashion inspiration from today? SG: No one in particular. We like different things to be from different historical moments, but basically we have created an aesthetic in which we mix our tradition and the DNA of our brand. Inspiration can come from people walking down the street, a journey, a song, a movie or a book. DD: For us, fashion is the time in which we live. It’s today, but today needs to be aware of its past - the path that has been taken to get this far. Looking back over the last 25 years, are there any moments which stand out to you as iconic Dolce & Gabbana milestones? SG: Oh, there would be so many that it is hard to choose. One of many is certainly our first fashion show in Milan. DD: Which was then followed by many others, all equally important because they allowed us to get where we are today from the 20th anniversary of our brand to the launch of the Alta Moda collection last year. What can we expect from fashion and Dolce & Gabbana in 2013? DD: We have so many ideas in our heads, but they are still in the project stage, so it is too early to reveal anything. You have worked with iconic women, such as Madonna, Sophia Loren, Scarlett Johansson and Isabella Rossellini, to name a few. What was it about these women that made them perfect for Dolce & Gabbana? SG: Their personalities. DD: They are all strong women, albeit different. Are there any celebrities you have yet to work with whom you would like to dress? SG: It’s hard to say names. DD: We already dressed the most beautiful women in the world. We were very lucky as we have been able to work with all those who we admired. Dolce & Gabbana has continued to flourish despite a global recession. Why do you think this is? DD: We never stop to think about this kind of stuff. The only thing that interests us is to continue to do our job, we love like the first day… SG: …and probably this passion and love are perceived and appreciated… DD: Then there’s all of the research and study. We are curious by nature and we always try to have a new view of the world, one that allows us to understand what people want, what they desire… Dolce &Gabbana encapsulates famiglia, amore and italinità (family, love and Italian tradition). What makes these three things so important to the brand? SG: Because they are values we believe in deeply and we grew up with! These are the things around which our life revolves. Italy has always been known for its beauty, style and good food and Dolce & Gabbana incorporates these elements. DD: For us fashion means to communicate and share these values with an increasing number of people. At the same time, it means the ability to look to the future, as if we embark each time on a new adventure. As Proust said, “the real journey is not to discover new landscapes, but in having new eyes”. Is there any particular accessory you cannot live without? SG: I love jewellery. My favourite stone is the ruby, which is what I chose for the ring I wear every day. DD: I like jewellery, but I don’t wear it. I am a great lover of watches, though. Describe the vision behind the jewellery collection? SG: In a word, Italian. We wanted a collection deeply rooted in the soul of Dolce & Gabbana. The main inspiration is Sicily, with its history and many cultural and artistic symbols – all symbols of Italy. DD: And they became symbols of our style, superstitious objects and hearts - all of which contain not only the spirit of Dolce & Gabbana, but which symbolize our own personal world. What clothes did you wear growing up in Italy? DD: In Sicily, we dressed up with shorts which I didn’t like very much; I preferred Sunday dress with a jacket, pants and white shirt! SG: I also had to wear shorts…luckily the jeans came then! Would you say the children’s collection takes inspiration from the adult collection? SG: Absolutely! We took inspiration for these garments from the daughters of our friends who always are found playing with the shoes and bags of their mothers; we liked the idea of a child who rummages in the closet of their parents to try things. DD: The collection includes all the iconic elements of Dolce & Gabbana style for the adults. Describe the children’s collection. SG: The collection includes the same elements present in the DNA of our brand. We played with the heroes of cartoons and sports and incorporated a lot of colourful prints for girls and for the boys. We’ve of course incorporated the main themes from our collection, but wanted to offer a versatile and suitable brand for children to wear during all occasions. DD: That’s why we also wanted to include some items related to our sartorial tradition, such as tuxedos for the boys and lace dresses for girls. You recently launched a fragrance for babies. Can you describe the scent? SG: It’s a fragrance inspired by the imagination of the most tender moments: the softness of the skin of a child, the freshness after a bath, the tender embrace of the mother and a baby’s first smile. How would you say the internet has affected designers and the fashion industry in general? SG: The internet makes content available that previously few people had the ability to access. We think it is a very effective tool when it is used strategically. The internet has great advantages, one of which is the possibility of reaching someone and anything at all times. Today no one can afford to ignore the internet, but at the same time you must also understand how it works, what language it speaks. DD: We have always believed in new technologies, but it is only in recent years that we have begun to use them as a real communication tool. SG: Not only through our official website, but also thanks to Swide, the official magazine of Dolce & Gabbana, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The internet has really changed our perspective and allowed us to have immediate and constant contact with real people. Twitter and other social platforms allow the public to directly comment and feedback; do comments and suggestions made by the public influence thoughts and decisions at Dolce & Gabbana? SG: The blogs, as well as the internet, are definitely a source of inspiration and an important way to be updated on the tastes and desires of the people. But this has not caused us to change the way we work; we still create our collections in the same way. DD: There is simply more information available now. Is the United Arab Emirates an important market for Dolce & Gabbana? SG: It’s no secret that the Middle East is one of our favorite destinations. It has a particular energy; we like the weather, the sea, the rooms, the food, the culture. We like everything! Do you have any plans to expand the brand further within the Middle East? DD: The Middle East is a very strategic area for our company where we still see a lot of potential for growth. Lastly, what do you think of our Simply Abu Dhabi publication? SG: We like it a lot. It’s beautiful, interesting and furthermore represents the culture of the UAE.