Swide Magazine by Dolce&Gabbana

"Lace is as much about the space between the threads as it is about the threads themselves." And don’t Dolce & Gabbana know it.

The Italian fashion powerhouse has been synonymous with sensuality and the veneration of the female form since its conception in 1985.  Utter femininity has permeated every Dolce & Gabbana collection through the duo’s intelligent use of iconographic tools from the female sphere such as corsetry, satin and of course lace. Dolce & Gabbana have embraced the long-standing tradition of this most feminine of fabrics. Not only is lace the epitome of both delicacy and sensuality due to its intricate and ephemeral patterns, but also because historically, lace has been a female tradition- from the weavers to its patrons lace has been a woman’s affair.

Lace’s heritage has also been synonymous with virginity due to the fabric’s association with bridal fashion. Along with further emancipation of women, especially within the workplace, the 80s brought about a subversion of taste and tradition, embodied for example in Madonna’s ground breaking video Like a Virgin. From the outset Dolce & Gabbana have embraced this subversive mood and quenched women’s thirst for less constrained and traditional fashion and brought lace to the everyday sphere.Throughout the brand’s 25 year history lace has been the connecting thread between many of Dolce & Gabbana’s stylistic codes. 

 Lace is closely interlinked with another of Dolce & Gabbana’s iconic tools: corsetry and the upgrade of underwear to outerwear. Lace has adorned ladies underwear for centuries and through the brand’s daring, these once secret items of female clothing have been brought to the street.

 The fashion house has used lace in many forms, from totally transparent body con dresses to layered over coloured satin for a more baroque look or white macrame’ reminiscent of traditional handcrafted linen such as in the ss’11 collection.

 The contrast between black and white lace is also emblematic of the brand’s DNA, emphasizing the duality between the innocent and seductive in women.

 It is rare to find a Dolce & Gabbana collection where lace does not feature, from panels to trimmings or even on accessories.  

 Lace’s intrinsic paradox between sensuality and chastity has been sparking debates for many years, explaining why designers love to use it, magazine editors endorse it and women love to wear it.  

Special Collaboration with Valentina Zannoni

Styled by Yuri Ahn 

Credits: Dolce&Gabbana, Vogue, Elle 

TAGS: dolce&gabbana dolce & gabbana d&g d & g online luxury magazine swide dna lace pizzo sicily madonna like a virgin handcraft body traditional linen ss 11 spring summer 2011 fashion signature