Milan celebrates Dolce&Gabbana

«We will never stop telling stories of pure love for the beauty generated by human touch». This is how Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana explain the idea behind the grand exhibition titled «From the heart to the hands: Dolce&Gabbana» set to take place from tomorrow until July 31 at Milan’s Palazzo Reale. «Why this title? Fashion, like any other form of art, is a journey from the heart, where ideas originate, to the hands, the instrument through which they take shape», the designers explain.

Initially, the exhibition was supposed to be inaugurated in 2020. «However, due to the pandemic, we had to postpone everything, but we did not give up because it has always been our dream». During these years, the designers have had the opportunity to refine the project. «We did not want it to be the typical fashion exhibition, full of dresses on mannequins without a soul. It is the person who brings the garment to life, through their essence, their instinct». Cureted by fashion historian Florence Müller, who has previously curated «Dior: From Paris to the World» and «Yves Saint Laurent: retrospective», this exhibition embarks on a similar journey, «retracing our beloved destinations, those touched by the Grand Tour of haute couture, focusing on human touch and craftsmanship. From Taormina to Venice, through Naples, Florence, and Como, it offers a journey of discovery into the authentic essence of Italy».

The two designers envisioned it as an immersive journey through the neoclassical rooms of Milan’s Royal Palace, punctuated by a series of tableaux—a testament to their passion for opera. The narrative unfolds from the exterior spaces of the palace, with a series of digital artworks curated by renowned contemporary visual artists, each offering their own interpretation of Dolce&Gabbana’s creations. Among them are Felice Limosani, Obvious Art, Alberto Maria Colombo, Quayola, Vittorio Bonapace, and Catelloo. The exhibition consists of ten installations, the first of which is inspired by the Venetian Scuola Grande di San Rocco and displays Tintoretto’s paintings over two floors, the Venetian painting equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. A grand gallery with a mirrored ceiling displays paintings by Anh Duong, one of the designers’ muses, and serves as a backdrop for a collection of papier-mâché mannequins showcasing a fusion of intricate tailoring techniques. The subsequent space is designed as a modern Hall of Mirrors, paying homage to historic Venetian glassworks such as Venini and Barovier&Toso. Under the light of ancient chandeliers, garments and cloaks sparkle with handcrafted floral glass applications that resemble delicate jewels.

The journey continues with a dedicated area that pays homage to Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard, a film that holds profound significance for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. «The dialogue between the aristocracy and the people... it is this captivating harmony of contrasts that fascinates and attracts us», they explain. The ballroom of Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi in Palermo, where one of its most celebrated sequences was shot, is meticulously recreated. Within this evocative setting, a stunning dress inspired by the movie takes center stage. Additionally, guests are treated to a replica of the maison’s atelier, where haute couture masters meticulously craft their creations, and a Renaissance room echoing the splendor of Palazzo Farnese in Rome, where Carracci’s paintings are translated into intricately crafted garments.

«For us, the atelier is where everything begins. Crafting a garment is an exhilarating journey that demands time, patience, dedication, and a willingness to refine. If something is not perfect, we must start anew», the two designers explain. Within the building housing their headquarters on Viale Piave hangs the diploma of Domenico Dolce’s father, a testament to their sartorial heritage. The haute couture and haute tailoring workshops serve as sanctuaries where beauty converges with the expertise of many skilled hands. «Our dream is to share this love with the younger generation, to open the doors of our world and of our workshops, and to reveal the magic that hands are capable of creating». Another section of the exhibition celebrates the baroque arabesques of the 2022 haute couture runway, bathed in dazzling white light, while the finely pleated peplos from the 2019 runway show, set in the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento, pay homage to Sicilian culture’s Greek heritage. The grand finale pays tribute to Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, with its boxes draped in red velvet.

Tonight, the exhibition premieres with a gala attended by friends such as Naomi Campbell and Isabella Rossellini, two of the many companions on a journey that began four decades ago in the Lombard capital. Produced in collaboration with Nigel Hurst of Img, formerly a talent curator at the Saatchi Gallery in London, the exhibition will soon travel the world. «From 2020 until now, we have revisited many aspects of the exhibition», Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana conclude. «But one thing has never been questioned: Milan had to be the first stop. It is here where our story commenced, and now, right under the Madonnina, we have returned to mark a pivotal moment, like a perfect circle coming to an end». (All rights reserved)