The couture collection was presented during a three day party in Taormina, Sicily, in July, and almost three months on people are still talking about it, and the clothes, and their designers have been dedicated pages upon pages in the September issues the world over.

 Vogue Japan could not but dedicate the main spread to the collection, and in a truly Sicilian fairytale, the collection comes alive on the glossy pages.

 Giampaolo Sgura and Anna Dello Russo have created an ancient Sicilian feel to the spread. The shoot took place in Sicily, soon after the debut fashion show. Everything about the shoot shouts Once Upon a Time in Sicily: as well as the setting, of course, the colour of the images, the quality, they look like family portraits of someone’s grandmother.

 In keeping with the Sicilian feel of the shoot and the traditions of the people upheld by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana when designing the Alta Moda collection, the spirit of the Sicilian widow plays throughout the shoot. Black veils, black lace, black organza, all help create this wonderful imaginarium of a past era complemented by modern, beautiful clothes.

 Italian fashion at its best.

Watch the video of the shoot.

Credits: Vogue Japan

Stylist: Anna Dello Russo

Photographer: Giampaolo Sgura