Dolce & Gabbana go from sexy to heartthrob on Milan fashion runway

Dolce & Gabbana get emotional

MILAN — The Sunday afternoon show was about to begin. Sicilian, Sartorial, Sensual appeared on the screen at the end of the runway, which, until then, had projected scenes from the Dolce & Gabbana workshop of white-coated cutters and seamstresses working closely with designers Domenico and Stefano to put together their latest winter collection.

And then out came a single model wearing a tailored double-breasted black jacket over a simple silk corset, no stockings and velvet pumps. The finale was a parade of models wearing black jackets or coats over the same simple corset with the tailoring staff gathered for a group picture on the screen.

In between were the very best examples of the designing duo’s skills, from suits with either pants or skirt, very ladylike and slightly retro in cut, to floral and animal printed silk negligee dresses, to formal but never exaggerated velvet evening wear. The models wore velvet or suede pumps with a wedge heel paired with ankle socks and carried large leather carpetbags.

The message was clear.

“Those guys will keep doing what they know best, making women look good,” Gabriella Forte — who represented Dolce & Gabbana in the United States for the past decade until they parted ways at the end of 2009 — told The Associated Press.

The designers, who have made Sicily (Domenico Dolce is Sicilian) and sensuality the trademarks of their style, are also known for the great attention to detail and artisan craftsmanship.

Usually Stefano Gabbana likes to define his collection as “molto” (very) sexy. This round chatting with reporters after the show, he preferred to define it as emotional “you know from the bottom of my heart.”

The fashion crowd seemed to feel the vibes. Hoots of approval and shouts of “bravo” greeted the duo as they took their runway bow.