Almost as a counter current to the digital age, Dolce&Gabbana love to include whimsical prints which seem hand painted on the fabrics. In 2008 actually, for the SS12 collection, the designers recruited Italian artists and asked them to hand paint silks, organza and Mikado for the awe inspiring final exits from the show.

 Art has always been close to Messers Dolce&Gabbana, and it has inspired many of their collections. Voluptuous Venus or delicate flowers adorned gowns in their ss94 collections, a whole collection, the FW01 was inspired by a painting by Tamara de Lempicka whit hung on their walls, while for SS12 a whole portion of the collection is inspired by Vegetable prints. Brush strokes, natural, hesitant movements are perceptible on the prints, almost as though a painted was reproducing the fresh, vibrant colours of real vegetables on a market stall.

 For FW13 the pattern of hand painted effect prints continues in the majolica portion of the Mediterraneo collection. The crux of the majolica was the hand painted glaze which decorated the pottery, and the brush strokes, pigmentation and at times even rushed movements are all clearly visible in the prints.

 For FW13 a large portion of the collection is inspired by Baroque frescos. Rich still life flowers and Cherub angles are immaculately printed on chiffon, organza and satin. In a manner which reproduces Baroque art, these are immaculately designed, three-dimensional and with lush effects.

 The pictorial print tradition also moves towards tapestry in FW13. Prints that look like hand painted tapestry designs are printed on chiffon blouses and dresses, to create that hand finished feel Dolce6Gabbana lends to each and every one of their products.

Styled by: Yuri Ahn

Written by: Valentina Zannoni

Credits: Dolce&Gabbana