DNA Coding: The Sicily Bag

Valentina Zannoni More from this author See all team

Dolce&Gabbana have come of age. At 27, the brand has gained a maturity which adds to its influence as a trend setter and pioneer on the Italian, and on the international fashion stage. During the brand’s first quarter of a century, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been architects of a new aesthetic- one which merges tradition, with innate female qualities and an edge, that pokes fun at themselves and at fashion as a whole, which make Dolce&Gabbana so endearing and close to so many people’s hearts.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily Many of these qualities and stylistic codes have been developed over the years and are embodied in particular items which transcend trends, and much like a child, carry the DNA of their fathers. For the first instalment of this series which analyzes the iconic items of the Dolce&Gabbana history, we’ve decided to look at the Sicily bag.

The Sicily bag first burst on the scene in 2009. The bag was part of the fashion show collection for the Fall Winter season. Presented in ayres and glove leather, the Sicily immediately embodied many of the values of the Dolce&Gabbana brand. Somewhat austere and serious the Sicily was clearly inspired by southern Italian women, their presence, strength and innate elegance.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily As time progressed, the Sicily started taking on a life of its own, and as early as the season after its launch it had already won the accolade of It Bag, and the leader and bestselling handbag from the Dolce&Gabbana accessories range. Traditional elements from the Dolce&Gabbana ready to wear line were transported into the accessory realm. Lace, crochet and raffia graced the Sicily, firmly setting in stone the relationship between the handbag and the brand.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily The Sicily is not only born from the immaginarium of the Sicilian Lady, but it is also an embodiment of the craftsmanship heritage which characterises Italy as one of the fathers of luxury. Hand finished, the crochet version for example takes 12 hours of labour to create, the Sicily is a reference to simpler times, where the clock didn’t tick as fast and when there was time to enjoy the process, and not only the finished product.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily In reference to the more irreverent side of Dolce&Gabbana, the Sicily is also incarnated in a wide variety of leathers, fabrics and finishes. A patchwork of materials, from raffia to the finest crocodile skin or lace to sequins and denim, the Sicily is able to withstand even the most unorthodox characteristics of the Dolce&Gabbana style DNA.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily The unmitigated success of the Sicily is ever growing. The bag comes in a large variety of sizes, from micro, a new entry in the FW13 collection, to an oversize tote and even as a travel bag. Initially conceived as a Sicily for man, the largest size of the tote was introduced for this SS12.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily The life of the Sicily has been a long one, it has been developed, and even destructured, for SS12 in fact there is a very covetable Sicily Soft. Each season, especially for the fashion show’s collections, the tote, whether mini or a shopper, has been imbued with the latest trends, be it stars or needlepoint, yet it has such an iconic, familiar and timeless form, that it is always recognizable.

dolce-and-gabbana-ss12-classic-dna-miss-sicily The development and status of the Sicily are not set to wane. Now available as made to order in luxurious crocodile in a cornucopia of colours, the Sicily is an impeccable ambassador of the Dolce&Gabbana DNA.