Stepping into the magic of “From the Heart to the Hands” at the Grand Palais.
Founded in 1985 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, Dolce & Gabbana has since become one of Italy’s modern day iconic fashion houses. Rooted in Italy’s rich artistic heritage, Mediterranean traditions, and in particular the culture and folklore of Sicily, Dolce & Gabbana’s aesthetic is a celebration of history.
Their designs are imbued with opulent visual imagery and baroque influences, reflecting the founders’ deep connection to their homeland. Through intricate embroidery, religious iconography, and lacework, the duo’s designs proudly embody the essence of La Dolce Vita.
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In 2012, Dolce & Gabbana unveiled their first Alta Moda (haute couture) collection at a private event held in the cloisters of the former San Domenico Monastery in Taormina, Sicily. With fewer than a handful of fashion press invited, the event showcased a 73-piece made-to-measure collection that featured elaborate lacework and hand-painted florals. Each piece was unique, with no more than one of each design ever created for their exclusive clientele. Since then, the brand has continued to present its bespoke Alta Moda collections across the Italian region including Palermo, Agrigento, Venice, Florence, and Portofino.
Last year, Milan’s Palazzo Reale hosted the “Dal Cuore alle Mani: Dolce & Gabbana” (From the Heart to the Hands) exhibition, curated by renowned French fashion and art curator Florence Müller. This year, the exhibition made its second stop at the Grand Palais in Paris, offering visitors a personal, immersive experience of the 40-year artistic journey of Dolce & Gabbana.
The exhibition showcased one-of-a-kind Alta Moda pieces alongside the brand’s Alta Gioielleria (haute joaillerie) collections, displayed across 10 themed rooms. These rooms revealed the inspirations behind each collection which brought the designers’ rich influences to life.
As I moved through the exhibition, I felt as though time itself unraveled, transporting me to an era where the opulence of 18th and 19th-century Italian opera materialized before my eyes. This Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda world tour exhibition is, without a doubt, a magnificent theatrical spectacle frozen in time.
The next city to host this extraordinary exhibition will be announced soon, and if you’re passionate about fashion, theatre, history, and Italian culture, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself. And make sure to book your tickets early as they do sell out fast.
