Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdoltʃe e ɡɡabˈbaːna]) is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1985 in Legnano by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. They both met in Milan in 1980 and designed for the same fashion house. In 1982, they established a designer consulting studio; in time it grew to become "Dolce & Gabbana" with a runway debut in 1985 at Milan Fashion Week.[1]
They describe their style as “sweet and sharp” and “New Millennium cool”. They were once quoted as saying they are mostly concerned with creating the best, most flattering clothes and sparkling trends. D&G began achieving long awaited awards in the 1990s and, in 1991, they were awarded the ‘Wollmark Award’ and ‘Best Fragrance of the Year’ in 1993.[2]
By 2019, Dolce & Gabbana generated $1,54 billion for revenue.[3]
Controversy
In September 2012, a pair of earrings that was wear by a model in Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2013 Collection runway show caused a stir online. The earrings are reminiscent of Blackamoor statues that can be found in Italy, but more recognisably to non-Italians, Aunt Jemima dolls. That's the same Aunt Jemima that, initially conceived as part of a minstrel show, became an image that romanticised slavery and plantation life.[4] Furthermore, for a show that presented over 85 looks, there were no black models represented on the runway.[5]
Dolce & Gabbana has responded to the criticism, in a somewhat roundabout way, by posting an article on their website Swide.com, which explains the historical and cultural context of the figures, typically called "blackamoors." "The head is inspired by Moorish features," it reads. "Moorish is a term used to define many peoples throughout history...In Sicily’s case it defines the conquerors of Sicily [from 827 to 902 AD.]" It goes on to explain that "these beautiful artifacts" are typically made out of a glazed ceramic, called Maiolica, which has deep historical meaning in Italy, and that they are in fact very common in homes, hotels, and restaurants in Sicily--a city that continues to inspire the designers.[6]
Reference
- ↑ https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/domenico-dolce-stefano-gabbana
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120815181601/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/dolce-gabbana.html
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dolce-gabbana-results/dolce-gabbana-sees-sales-slowdown-in-china-after-ad-backlash-idUSKCN1VH1EV
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2012/sep/26/dolce-gabbana-racist-earrings
- ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dolce-and-gabbana-racist-earrings-_n_1914455?utm_hp_ref=style&ir=Style
- ↑ https://fashionista.com/2012/09/dolce-gabbana-defend-their-controversial-earrings

