Keep reading this article to discover more about this incredible collection.
“Beauty is the most important thing—I want to be surrounded by beauty every moment. Beauty is a pillar of a brand,” remarked Domenico Dolce, co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana, while standing alongside Stefano Gabbana under the hazy Sardinian sun. This principle has driven their creative vision, and it was showcased prominently at the recent Alta Moda 2024 event.
Since 2012, Dolce & Gabbana have been hosting grand Alta Moda events that celebrate Italian craftsmanship and cultural diversity. This year’s chosen location, Sardinia, with its rich folkloric traditions and dedication to emblematic crafts, provided the perfect backdrop. Over five nights, the duo welcomed press, celebrities, and VIP clientele to a series of events that transcended a typical couture display. With award-show-style performances, 20-minute runway prologues, and branded vacation resorts, Dolce & Gabbana showcased their unique approach to fashion as entertainment.
Glamour reigned supreme at Alta Moda 2024, as Dolce & Gabbana took over the comune of Pula, southwest of Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Known for its archaeological richness and status as a vacation hotspot, Pula provided an ideal setting. The ancient ruins of Nora, now mostly submerged beneath the sea, served as the venue for the main show.
“It’s full of history and full of civilization,” Dolce noted about the coastal village. To bridge the ancient and modern worlds, the brand enlisted artist Phillip K. Smith III to create abstract mirrored sculptures that reflected the history of the site. Dolce discovered Smith’s work online and saw it as the perfect complement to their vision.
The festivities began with a high-jewellery presentation on Monday night, featuring necklaces and earrings crafted with fine gold thread handwoven to mimic lace, a popular technique in 18th and 19th-century Sardinia. The following evening, the Alta Moda fashion show took center stage. Inspired by the 1960s, the collection showcased pleated column gowns in ebony, cut close to the body and adorned with gold filigree belts, corsets, bras, exaggerated earrings, and bejeweled necklaces reminiscent of Byzantine adornments.
Weaving, a cherished Sardinian craft, was prominently featured. Cotton and wool textiles, still produced on looms in the region, were used throughout the collection. Ivory cotton shirting and majestic capes, meticulously handmade from tubular weavings of linen, wool, and jacquard silk, highlighted Dolce & Gabbana’s dedication to Italian majesty steeped in baroque glamour.
“It’s not easy to make a dress,” Dolce commented. “People think it is because everything is so accessible nowadays, but you have to research. Websites and social media make everything go so fast.” Despite the fast pace of modern fashion, the brand ensured the social media set was not forgotten. Christina Aguilera opened the celebration in a custom pink Dolce & Gabbana silk corset with a feather boa, and Katy Perry closed the week’s performances. Drag superstars Violet Chachki and Trixie Mattel, along with pianist Micah McLaurin, delivered equally dazzling performances. The presence of stars like Naomi Campbell, Halle Bailey, Maluma, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Alessandra Ambrosio added to the event’s allure.
As Dolce & Gabbana quietly celebrated their 40th year in business, the founders made it clear they are focused on the future. “We are only interested in today and tomorrow,” they stated, emphasizing their commitment to evolving and pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda 2024 in Sardinia was more than a fashion show; it was a celebration of Italian heritage, craftsmanship, and the brand’s enduring legacy. By blending traditional crafts with modern entertainment, they created an unforgettable experience that not only honored the past but also looked forward to the future.