Domenico’s Sicilian origins, Stefano’s love for Sicily and it was obvious that Dolce&Gabbana had to have more than a Sicilian appeal. A matter of identity that would grow over time, like a tree that gets more and more rooted into the ground as time goes by.

The Dolce&Gabbana future recognizable stamps were used for the first time in the autumn winter 87-88 womenswear collection. Crochet fabrics, caps, versatile jersey stretch clothes, most of them in black and shot in black &white in the heart of Sicily: Palermo.

The two designers are known for not doing things in halves, while working on the collection they discovered a portrait of a dark hair woman naked at a balcony wrapped in a big shawl… She was in Sicily. Domenico and Stefano needed to know who shot her immediately. It was famous photographer Ferdinando Scianna who was everything but a fashion photographer, which was exactly what our duo was looking for.They wanted lively images featuring clothes revealed and captured in everyday life. At the fleamarket, at the barber shop, following a neorealist influence from Luchino Visconti ‘s movie La Terra Trema produced in 1948 showing the hard life of Sicilian fishermen. But if reality can be harsh, the idea was to extract the sensuality and dark refinement that characterize this region. "Romantico" but never aggressive, if it is a push & pull story where nothing is steady, the diversity and richness of emotions are an unending source of inspiration. In 2010, Dolce&Gabbana pays tribute to its roots and continues to feature Sicily in many ways seasons after seasons: a Sicilian touch for a ticket back home.

By Yuri Ahn.

Text by Delphine Hervieu.

Source :20 YEARS DOLCE & GABBANA

Model: Marpessa

Image credits: Ferdinando Scianna