Dolce & Gabbana Biography

A first meeting takes place when Dolce applies for a job at the Gabbana fashion house. Gabbana, a designer by training, introduces him to the world of design.

1982

After Gabbana's military service, the two set up their first design consultancy.

1985

D&G present their first collection at Milan Fashion Week.

1986

The second collection is released, and the first boutique is opened.

"The Sicilian Dress" is considered by some to be one of the most important dresses of all time, representing the brand at the time like no other.

1987

The designers present their first knitwear range. The product range is expanded in 1989 to include lingerie and swimwear.

1989

The duo signs a contract with the Kashiyama Group and opens the first boutique in Japan.

1990

The two designers' first menswear collection wins the Woolmark Award the following year.

After Madonna wears a jewel-studded corset and matching jacket by Dolce & Gabbana on "In Bed with Madonna," the designers create another 1,500 costumes for her international tour Girlie Show.

1993–1995

D&G's first women's and men's fragrance creations are awarded best fragrances in their category by the Perfume Academy.

1996–1997

Dolce and Gabbana also receive personal awards as Designer of the Year. Other awards followed as Men of the Year (GQ, 2003) and Best International Designer (Elle Style Awards, 2004).

In the 2000s, D&G design costumes for tours of world stars such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige, as well as for Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, who also becomes part of the advertising campaign.

2004–2017

D&G creates the clothing for the AC Milan soccer club and the Italian national soccer team.

2005

Dolce and Gabbana announce their private separation, the business partnership continues regardless.

Co-branding projects with cell phone manufacturer Motorola, followed by Sony Ericsson in 2009. Other collaborations outside the world of fashion, for example with Citroën and Martini, expand the versatile product range of the company, which has long been known for its eyewear, watches, a jewelry collection and a cosmetics line.

2006

The Dolce & Gabbana GOLD restaurant opens in Milan.

2013

The two designers are sentenced to a 20-month suspended sentence and a fine in a tax case. (WiWo)

In 2019, there is a scandal over Gabbana's alleged racist remarks towards the Chinese people. The result is a glaring decline in sales in the Asian market. D&G sues the American bloggers responsible for this in 2019 (Welt.de, wuv.de ).