Dolce&Gabbana's Sicilian blockbuster

«For our 10th year of haute couture, we wanted to return to Sicily, with a fashion show that would strongly tell the Dolce&Gabbana DNA». This is how Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana described the maxi haute couture show staged in Ortygia’s Piazza del Duomo, pearl of Syracuse. The same square where some cult scenes of Malèna, a film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore starring Monica Bellucci, were filmed. Because the whole four-day event signed by the creative duo actually had a cinematic flavor. Starting with the high jewelry unveiled in the Grotta dei Cordari, in Syracuse’s Neapolis Archaeological Park, where to revive the myth of Arethusa, a love story, among dancers, nymphs and players suspended over the water where a pavé of roses bloomed. Kris Jenner, Helen Mirren, Kitty Spencer arrived, as well as Sharon Stone who met Giuseppe Tornatore and, moved from emotion, embraced him. And a hug from the star of Basic Instinct with Drew Barrymore moved everyone in front of the Cathedral of Ortygia for a mega event that resembled a blockbuster.

A massive set gave three-dimensionality to the square, a grand staircase was set up, as well as a platform ascending where VIPs were photographed. Such as superstar Mariah Carey, super cool Ciara and her family, Emma Roberts, Lucy Hale. But also, Monica Bellucci was sitting in the front row applauding the two designers, who she has been friends with forever, and daughter Deva Cassel who walked the runway. As well as Heidi Klum’s mother's heart ready to support her Leni, also among the models. In front of them a real precession began. «We have always been struck by the beauty of Cavalleria Rusticana,» the two designers continued, reviving the feeling of an event with religious traits. As did their women, who in 106 haute couture looks cited those iconographic milestones, now representing Dolce&Gabbana heritage. They were devotees dressed in black, with light and embroidered veils. With inlaid sheath dresses allowing glimpses of garters and underwear, mixing the sacred and the profane. Cloaked in inlay work citing Sicilian Baroque and its designs, from roses to angels. Small stitch, metallic leather, crochet and hand-painted flowers. Wings sprouting to make a dress fly, transparencies plunging one into desire. Gold that seemed to tell the reflections of a church altar and the craftsmanship of small stitches and inlay works in mikado. Up to the lights of precious embroidery catching the eyes of the parterre.

Judgment. «Haute couture is an experience. It means tradition, craftsmanship, but also arancino or granita. It means to understand Italy, and that is why we want to share experiences in places with our customers. For us it is a journey, a grand tour». Or the power of connections, as stated in the newly launched TIM commercial in which Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana appear. It is coming full circle, without smearing, telling of a world by opening the doors of that world itself. There was talk of a movie of their own, but actually every event between haute couture, high tailoring and high jewelry becomes a great little movie. A serial that is now in its 10th year. What have they learned from this decade? "We learned that thanks to Italy, a beautiful country, everything is possible". (All right reserved)

High jewelry evoked the myth of Arethusa

A special setting designed to tell the story of Dolce&Gabbana's high jewelry collection was unveiled in the Grotta dei Cordari in Syracuse's Neapolis Archaeological Park, where the legend of Arethusa, a love story that entered myth, was brought to the stage. Among dancers, nymphs and players suspended over the water where a pavé of roses bloomed, giving a picture of incredible romance. Guests such as Kris Jenner, Helen Mirren, Kitty Spencer stopped by to look at the jewelry cases. But also, Sharon Stone, who met Giuseppe Tornatore and, moved from emotion, hugged him. The evening continued in the name of talent with a live performance by soprano Miriam Battistelli.