In Como, in the Lombardy region, Dolce & Gabbana promotes fashion shows and super exclusive experiences
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are so close that they interrupt each other all the time while they speak. One loves to finish the other's sentence. “For this Alta Moda collection we started with a classic of Italian literature that we all have to read at school”, began Gabbana, referring to the 19th century novel The Betrothed, written by Alessandro Manzoni. “But we did a mix of everything. There is no longer just one fashion, one style. Perhaps, here it is possible to find up to seven different references in a single outfit”, added Dolce, before the Alta Moda show, last weekend, set up on the shore of Lake Como – an Italian holiday destination, frequented by Hollywood stars. and northern European tycoons.
The walkway formed by a bucolic gravel trail was installed in Teresio Olivelli Park, in front of the magnificent view of the lake. As dusk fell, guests arrived by boat and were greeted by actors dressed as nuns and monks, who served champagne in rounded crystal glasses. Classic velvet armchairs and vintage loveseats made up a huge front row that surrounded the entire room. “Haute couture today is also a question of the experience provided to customers”, assessed journalist Suzi Menkes, from Vogue International. And what an experience!
The diversity of the collection and also the cast of models were responsible for magical and spectacular fashion moments. The show started with the aristocrat Lady Kitty Spencer, niece of Princess Diana, followed by the black British chef Emma Weymouth, both wearing long skirts made of pure silk and corsets, in an allusion to the characters narrated in the book that is considered a jewel of Italian culture. . Next, Canadian model Maye Musk, 70, showed off a floral tunic with sorbet green feather bars, and the beautiful Ashley Graham, plus size diva, embodied the Italian breast, in a tight, low-cut lace dress. “There is no right or wrong size or right or wrong clothing. We all have different physical constitutions and that’s a wonderful thing,” she says, helping to break out of old-fashioned beauty standards.
Three muses from different phases of the 1990s starred in the parade. Naomi Campbell appeared in great shape in a multicolored long dress, the Danish top Helena Christensen acted as a femme fatale, while Eva Herzigova wore a blue coat, with a super elegant masculine cut. “We think about the clothes according to how they work on each model,” said Gabbana.
Embroidery with lush stone applications, sequins reproducing the local landscape and fringes finishing off dresses gave luxurious touches to the creations. But the most unusual – and interesting – part of the show are the lysergic looks, presented by models with hair in shades of lilac, green and blue. “I loved the gypsy mood and the embroidered vests worn with tie-dye jeans,” said Daniela Falcão, CEO of publisher Conde Nast in Brazil. A rainbow caftan lined with pink marabou and flower crowns reinforced the hippie vibe.
In the interview they gave before the show, the designers joked that they thought about leaving a joint on each guest's seat so they could get into the “vibe”. “We don’t smoke joints, but we love imagining what our collection would look like if we did,” Gabbana said with a laugh. “It would be like a completely crazy dream!”
The Alta Moda show brings looks to a select group of customers from all over the world for days of parties and spectacular presentations. In Como, where wealthy vacationers settle around the lake, the fun takes place on private properties – George Clooney has a house there, Julia Roberts and Beyonce are among the regulars.
After the presentation, clients and journalists went to a party at the Villa Olmo hotel. “In the end, a fashion show is about clothes and emotion,” said Gabbana. This they understand.
Originally published in Estadão Content
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