Dolce and Gabbana

Domenico Dolce was born in Polizzi Generosa near Palermo, Sicily on August 13, 1958. He was very young when he started his career as a designer in his father Saverio's small atelier. Stefano Gabbana, of Venetian origins, was born in Milan on November 14, 1962, and after studying graphic design turned his interest to fashion.

In 1982, after having spent two years working as assistant designers they decided to work for themselves and opened a design studio. The two were united by the desire to express and communicate an unusual and extremely personal taste, much of it inspired by Dolce's Sicilian origins.

Their first break came in 1985 when they were among the three chosen names to present their collections in the new talents category at the Milan shows. The duo made a big effort and the press and buyers present at the show did the rest. The name, representing a new generation of "Made in Italy", soon became famous all over the world. First success gave them confidence to pursue their own vision of fashion, gradually expanding, and avoiding offers of easy money for licenses before they were sure of their moves.

They both work extremely hard making their own paper models, prototypes and accessories, following their sales, shows, public relations and advertising campaigns. Their vision and personalities are stamped on everything they do. Their philosophy is reflected in their work. Dolce & Gabbana's fashion has "real" women in mind; it is sensual and austere, and clearly draws inspiration from Mediterranean colours and culture. The fabrics preferred include lace, wool, and silk. In 1987 they moved into a larger showroom.

In 1988, Dolce & Gabbana signed an agreement with the Onward Kashiyama group and started distributing their designs in Japan. The previous year their first knitwear designs was launched. 1989 marked the first lingerie and beachwear outfits, followed by a menswear collection in 1990. Dolce and Gabbana signed further agreements to design the Complice line for the Genny group. Next come the boutiques, first Milan, then Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.

Becoming one of Madonna's favorite fashion houses certainly didn't hurt the team, and they designed a number of costumes for her to wear in one of her world tours. In 1992 Dolce & Gabbana launched a perfume which won the 1993 Perfume Academy International Prize for the best female fragrance. Their two latest lines include Dolce & Gabbana Basic, sold only in Milan, which covers a wide variety of their classic designs, and D & G aimed at the younger generation, both in style and price. Dolce & Gabbana had g ross sales of 178 billion lire (calculate $1=1600 lire) in 1994 and projects an income of 280 billion lire for 1995. These figures also include the D&G and D&G jeans brands.