Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda 2022: A Luxury Ode to Sicilian Glamour
In the port of Marzamemi, Dolce & Gabbana gave life to a personal and visionary interpretation of how the Mediterranean unites Sicily and the Arab world.
During the past week, the great fashion designers, Dolce & Gabbana, presented their proposal for the upcoming fall-winter 2022/23 season in the Piazza del Duomo, the Sicilian city of Syracuse, which embodies a way of life that has preserved the unique spirit of Syracuse for centuries. More than a physical location, the oldest heart of the city was the perfect setting to present the timeless creations of Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda.
“Classical and baroque, aristocracy and village, catharsis and prayer.” These were the words with which Dolce & Gabbana described the 106 looks they created to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their Alta Moda collection.
Sicily is a special place for Dolce. He was born there. “Syracuse is a special place for us,” Gabbana explained before the fashion show. “It’s in the southernmost part of Sicily, facing Africa. I love the feeling, I love the atmosphere, I love the stones, the colours, the people.”
Alta Moda is a project that began in 2012 to offer luxury clothing handcrafted and custom-made, even more, exclusive than its prêt-à-porter proposals. Against this backdrop, the Italian house showed its designs by director Davide Livermore, loaded with beauty, tradition and craftsmanship, designed for women who are committed to timeless elegance.
The Alta Moda presentation was preceded by a performance of Cavalleria Rusticana, a classic Italian opera by Pietro Mascagni from the late 19th century, on a catwalk set up in front of the famous cathedral. “Tonight we tried to create an experience that has to do with the DNA of Dolce & Gabbana,” Dolce said.
On the catwalk was the equivalent of a village of Sicilian novices, priests and widows, and a procession complete with a pair of saints carried on canes from opposite ends of the square. They presided over a presentation of 106 looks, every one of the women’s material at the helm.
The models descended the staircase, flanked by women dressed in black in traditional Sicilian style. The first design to appear was this white mini-dress with large cherubs on the shoulders. The little angels were handmade, with petals and mini drapes.
In a marked move away from the brand’s signature prints and vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired colour palette, the collection was rendered almost entirely in black. “If you ask someone, in their imagination, what the Sicilian woman wears, it is black,” said Gabbana.
“Alta Moda, for me, is about surprises,” said Gabbana. “Every time we start a collection, I want to surprise myself. Every time is a challenge. I want to say something more. And I am full of curiosity.”
Pops of yellow, lime green, pink, red and orange cut through the otherwise sombre palette, while oversized blazer dresses were laden with gold embroidery, dazzling crystal work or floral appliques, and paired with rhinestone-covered boots or delicate, flowery tights. A hot pink micro skirt with a matching cropped jacket shimmered emphatically as the model moved, while another silver dress was befitting of a Marvel heroine.
During the show, A-List celebs like Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone, Helen Mirren, and Drew Barrymore sported glamorous Dolce & Gabbana designs. Lupita Nyong’o, singer Ciara, Casey Affleck, Kris Jenner, Christian Bale, Monica Belluci, Heidi Klum and Vanessa Bryant were also present at the Alta Moda’s front row.
