The landmark exhibition ‘Du Coeur a la Main’ (From the Heart to the Hand) is a journey into the world of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
For the first time in its 40-year history, Italian luxury house Dolce & Gabbana is showcasing its renowned artistry in the birthplace of haute couture, Paris.
The ongoing landmark exhibition titled “Du Coeur a la Main” (From the Heart to the Hand) is said to be a love letter to Italian culture. It is also a nod to Italy’s revered craftsmanship and the interconnectedness of fashion. “The story of couture is global,” curator Florence Müller explained in an interview with the Associated Press. “Embroidery, lace, brocade — they existed long before Parisian couture, in Italy, in India, and beyond.”
From dream to dress
“Du Coeur a la Main” is described in the Dolce & Gabbana website as “a step into the world of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.” That said, the exhibition promises to be an immersive exploration into the narrative behind the brand’s couture collections, inviting you to participate in the artistic process of bringing their creations to life—”from the dream to the dress.”
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The exhibit covers 1,200 square meters of the majestic Grand Palais, which has been recently refurbished. It boasts a staggering collection including over 200 one-of-a-kind pieces from the company’s Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria series and 300 handmade accessories, as well as objects like Sicilian ceramics.
It has 10 themed rooms that give visitors a peek into the famed artistic roots of Dolce & Gabbana and showcases its iconic and bespoke creations. Making the exhibit even more spellbinding is that the collections are set against a backdrop of Baroque grandeur and near-hypnotic installations that plunge you into the heart of the Italian designers’ universe. Each piece embodies the painstaking craftsmanship for which Dolce & Gabba is renowned and is emblematic of the values of Fatto a Mano or handmade.
Among the highlights of the “Du Coeur a la Main” exhibit is a gown inspired by Venice’s Murano glass. The stunning piece is studded with glass mosaics from Orsoni Venezia 1888, the glassmakers behind the golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica. Müller described it as “a sculpture on textile — pure craftsmanship elevated to art.”
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Opera, being a well known hallmark of Italian culture, also takes the limelight. A black velvet gown softened by gold embellishments is inspired by Bellini’s Norma. A blue dress with its wispy layers of tulle, meanwhile, speaks of the romance of Verdi’s La Traviata.
Beyond fashion
Keeping true to its promise of giving visitors an immersive experience, “Du Coeur a la Main” is not just about finished pieces or priceless works from the atelier’s storied archives. Five seamstresses from Dolce & Gabbana’s Milan workshop work live during the exhibition, crafting bodices, bustiers and corsets before your very eyes. “This seamstress is sewing lace to form a dress, while another is draping fabric by hand,” Müller said. “It’s extraordinary. This is not just fashion — it’s art.”
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Completing the magical experience are giant paintings of Dolce & Gabbana’s muses, such as Sophia Loren and Naomi Campbell, who play silent witnesses to awestruck crowds. Classical Italian opera and traditional Sicilian folk melodies provide the perfect soundtrack.
The exhibit goes beyond couture, however, as it highlights the profound influence of “Made in Italy” creations. For instance, there are Smeg refrigerators and coffee presses that are given a D&G touch. These everyday items reflect the ethos of Italian craftsmanship as much as the works of Dolce & Gabbana.
“Fashion is art. It’s meant to inspire, to dazzle, to make us dream. Whether you wear it once or never, its value is in its beauty, not its practicality,” Müller said.
You can purchase your tickets to the Dolce & Gabbana “Du Coeur a la Main” exhibit from this site. The exhibit runs until March 31.
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