For their latest Alta Moda show, Dolce&Gabbana invited a star-studded audience to Venice for a special presentation of the collection which was inspired by this magical city.
Over several days the Italian House invited celebrities, press and VIP guests to discover the worlds of Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria and Alta Gioielleria through a series of spectacular events hosted by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, including the Alta Moda runway show which took place on August 29th 2021.
The designers chose the stunning location of the iconic Piazzetta San Marco for this special presentation. A setting that has never hosted a fashion show before, this great place of beauty was the traditional location that the Serenissima (The Republic of Venice) used to invite ambassadors and rulers visiting the city to disembark, in order to impress them with the magnificence of the view, a view that is truly like no other. After the sixteenth century, architect Jacopo Sansovino worked on the Piazetta, designing the Library that bears his name, the Mint and the loggia of the bell tower, which enables it to take on its current appearance, becoming one of the most celebrated treasures of Venice. And it is this magical space that played host to one of Dolce&Gabbana’s most memorable Alta Moda shows yet.
After a virtual presentation last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian designers came back with a bang as they invited a host of VIPs and celebrities to the unveiling of the collection. Celebrity guests included Jennifer Lopez who stole the show dressed head-to-toe in Dolce&Gabbana, as well as Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Monica Belluci, Dame Helen Mirren, Doja Cat, P Diddy, Christian Bale and more who flew in to witness this spectacular unveiling. Jennifer Hudson opened the show with a performance of “Nessum Dorma,” from Turandot, as guests took in the surroundings.
Arriving by water on gondolas, the models wore unique sartorial creations as they paraded down an elevated runway set against the magical backdrop between the two famous granite columns of St Theodore and St Mark. The designs took great inspiration from the surroundings and the local craftsmanship of the area, something that is continuously celebrated by the house.
Dresses made of pastel-hued tulle featured extravagant embroidery work that reflected the patterns of the glass windows and the serpentine patterns of the floor of St Mark’s Square. Satin was heavily used to reflect the flow of water in the city. An oversized cape with Venice scenery on its drapes was a more obvious nod to the surroundings, while elegant gold embellishment on precious fabrics was inspired by the local architecture.
A cascading cloak of ombre coloured feathers was worn over a tulle dress creating a picture of beauty. Metallic stitching, oversized shoulders and ruffle-edge details added drama and glamour. A cape created from gold knotted rope took its inspiration from the boats that the city is known for and a palette of colourful tones reflected the changing light as the sun sets on this beautiful city. Every look emulated opulence and royalty, capturing the essence of Dolce&Gabbana.
Accessories came in the form of extravagant headpieces. Floral fascinators and gold hardware were placed elegantly on the heads of models who wore their hair in classic low buns. Shoes were sparkly and sophisticated with a touch of glamour while jewellery was as extravagant as the clothing designs.
As the show came to a close, rain started to fall in a surreal, magical moment that saw a rainbow appear behind the show setting. As if it was meant to be, this glorious image further set the tone for a collection that is sure to go down in history.
