The Mix & Matched Millennium

Valentina Zannoni More from this author See all team

Mix and match has been a running theme for Dolce & Gabbana. For Spring Summer 2000, the duo chose to welcome the millennium with a kaleidoscope of colour and print.

From their earliest days, designers Dolce and Gabbana have always loved to experiment with sometimes unorthodox mixes of fabric, colour and print. For the spring summer 2000 collection, employing Gisele as their poster girl, Dolce & Gabbana introduced a colourful and somewhat ironic take on the southern Italian Dolce Vita.

The advertisement campaign chosen to communicate the Mix&Match collection was central to the artistic concept behind it all. Gisele stands out by herself, but when placed in the middle of a real life Sicilian market, with real life Sicilian shoppers and market-stall holders, she really does make an impact. If added to that, Gisele is clad in studded leather, lace, crystal encrusted mesh, lurex mini skirts and lace trilby hats, well, the effect of mixing and matching and unorthodox coupling is taken to the extreme.

The Mix&Match collection relied heavily on evocative prints to hone in on the mood. Universally recognizable prints like the Union Jack or the American flag were masterfully transformed into eclectic clothing. Sequined, mini skirts or trousers mixed with PVC corsets, or lace overcoats really materialised the essence of the collection.

The Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2000 collection also referenced the swinging Sixties. The reference was not only confined to silhouettes or choices of prints, but the general mood of experimentation, daring and innovation was thoroughly traceable to that socially revolutionary period in history.

Mix and matching was not only confined to print and colour, but also to fabric and especially texture. Lace and smooth PVC were contrasted with sequins and luxurious fox fur. Yes, Dolce&Gabbana not only challenged the canons of good taste and fashion traditions with this collection, but they went as far as turning the seasons on their heads.

As well as challenging perceptions and fashion traditions, the Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2000 collection gave women the chance to play with their look, after being exposed to years of monochrome trends. The turn of the millennium, and the arrival of the Naughties was expected to welcome in much more than a new era for mankind, and from Dolce&Gabbana’s viewpoint, it brought back fashion.