Runway Report: Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2012

Nonna Chic

Farmer's Market Goes Couture: Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Milan Fashion Week just ended and one of the highlights was of course, the Dolce & Gabbana Show. As you know, D&G is finito, done. And with that, naturally there was lots of editorial, buyer and press interest on what designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana would show for Spring 2012. Here's a given: We know that Dolce & Gabbana really know how to play with a theme. They pick one and run with it. They might be holding a Campari with Soda as their running...but they're running nonetheless. You MUST watch the video (Below after the photos) to get the whole effect of the show. Let's just say that only Dolce & Gabbana could create a theme that could only be referred to as "Grandma Chic" or Nonna Chic!

Grandma's Here...And She's Looking for Cocktails: Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

For Spring 2012, they showed lots of printed EVERYTHING--from bra tops, pleated dirndl skirts, rompers, swimsuits, and Ladies-Who-Lunch sheath dresses and suits. There was also lots of heavy applique lace...

Plastic skirts, suits and even coats, Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

Lace and even POM POMS, Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

Sequin Ragazze: Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

And of course, LOTS of sequins, in every variety--from heavy be-jeweled ones to cluttered multi-colored ones. Sequins and LOTS of them, are a HUGE Spring 2012 Trend and they were right there! Front Row and Center! The accessories were also the Stars. Take a look at the crochet, lace and plastic pumps. No really, take a look, because the FIERCEST of Fashionistas will be, no doubt, wearing them next Spring/Summer:

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

And of course, there were the purses. I have a feeling that Domenico and Stefano sent their Design Assistants to peruse a whole lot of "vintage"/second-hand stores from New Jersey to Wisconsin--to find "inspiration" in these purses. They are so "old School" Church Lady"/Grandma, all that she's missing is her mini-bible from 1963:

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

Click Below for the Full Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 Runway Show:

Runway Report: D&G Spring 2012: Final Show and Final Collection!

Ciao D&G!

D&G Spring 2012

Days ago, during Milan Fashion Week, Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showed their latest Spring 2012 offering for the "lower line" D&G. They also announced that this would be the last season for D&G . According to the designers, D&G will now be merged with it's main signature line Dolce & Gabbana.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, waiving "Ciao" to D&G

It seems a bit odd since from what industry experts say, it is a cash cow for the company. Many buyers were heard saying that in fact, they buy little of the signature line (or at least not consistently) but ALWAYS order EVERY season something from D&G. But the statement Domenico and Stefano released said that the move was in order to give "even more strength and energy to our collections".

D&G Spring 2012

This final collection was "Scarf happy". In continuing with the same scarf-print motif of their recent menswear Collection, the clothing was an explosion of The Foulard. It was very Versace meets Hermes meets Lily Pulitzer and so retro 1994 in its over-the-top in-your-face don't-look-for-solids here vibe. Frankly I don't see why Hermes doesn't do a Runway Presentation for their Ready-to-Wear shows just like this! I thought it was great! And so ON TREND since it's ALL ABOUT bold, colorful prints come next Spring/Summer.

D&G Spring 2012

There were mini dresses, bandeau tops, blouses, pajama pants, shorts, maxi-dresses, shoes: EVERYTHING had the SCARF Crazy Stamp.

D&G Spring 2012

I have a feeling that it will be a BIG hit when it hits the stores come next year and we will see LOTS of these prints on the red carpet...

Click Below for the D&G Spring 2012 Full Runway Show Video:

MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011

Supermodel Animal...

Rosie Safari: Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011, 2011 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet

Victoria's Secret Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore a leopard printed Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 stretch silk fitted dress. On the actual runway, it was shown below the knee and with flat shoes. Thank God Miss Rosie chose to hike the dress up a bit---and wear it with heels (and I LOVE those heels!). Oh, and not wear that hat! In case you didn't know, it's ALL ABOUT Animal Prints for Fall and next Spring--and leave it to a Victoria's Secret Model to work it! Sexy. Hot.

MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: Elle Fanning in D&G Spring 2011

Thirteen and in Platforms?

Romper Princess: Actress Elle Fanning in D&G Spring 2011, 2011 MTV Movie Awards

Thirteen year old (I know, SHUT UP!!!) actress (and sister of Dakota) Elle Fanning, wore D&G Spring 2011 to the 2011 MTV Movie Awards tonight. She's like one year younger than my niece, and if I spotted my niece in heels THAT high--well, Uncle Nick might have a problem...But that's neither here nor there. Let's discuss Miss Elle. She wore a printed romper from the lower line of Dolce and Gabbana. It was cute, young and dare I say, age-appropriate. But those heels??? Platform wedges on a thirteen year old? Maybe I am just too much of a fuddy-duddy....
Anyhow--what do you guys think?

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011: Dolce & Gabbana, Versace!!

Maschile /Femminile (Masculine/Feminine), Lace, Tailoring, Vibrant Colors...Milan Fashion Week Highlights:

Caprese and Campari: Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011

Last week, Milan Fashion Week continued and while you can read (and see) my BLOG posting for the Gucci and Prada Fall/Winter 2011 Collections HERE, I wanted to also show you the latest offerings from two other MAJOR Italian Fashion Houses: Dolce & Gabbana and Versace:

Dolce & Gabbana:

Butch Dolce & Gabbana: Model Arizona Muse opens Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011 Runway Show

For Fall/Winter 2011 Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showed many, many looks--over 80 to be exact! There were no "Earth-shaking" style statements for these two--just same old same old fabulous Masculine vs. Feminine stylings that have become the Dolce & Gabbana signature. The show began with Model-of-the-Moment Arizona Muse (of course!), in a jacquard double-breasted jacket and cropped knee-hovering pants, white buttoned-up dress shirt, hat and even some faux sideburns!

She was VERY Madonna "Open Your Heart" video. While the "Uomo Parade" of superbly tailored suits and perfectly draped trousers continued, it also became apparent that there was a 1980's Ska Band/Come On Eileen feeling to it as well, in addition to the fact that this entire section looked as if it could have been styled by former Lindsay Lohan girlfriend DJ Samantha Ronson and model Agyness Deyn:

Italian High Fashion Ska: Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011

But of course, the Dolce & Gabbana girl cannot live on pant suits alone, and to satisfy this, Domenico and Stefano also sent out many sexy lace and corseted lingerie-inspired looks that will for sure be placed FRONT and CENTER at their boutiques worldwide come next Fall:

Eurostar: Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011

Milan Opera Gown: Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2011 Full Runway Show:

Versace Donna Women's Wear Fall/Winter 2011:

For Versace Fall/Winter 2011 Donatella Versace and her Design Team continued on their path of her brother's Design Roots, incorporating baroque motifs, color-blocks and imprints in addition to those ubiquitous Versace gold-plated buttons, which became part of the House's Legacy and roots.

Versace 1980's ad featuring Christy Turlington, Paulina Porizkova and Linda Evangelista

The Collection was molto sexy and filled with Vibrant in-your-face colors: Neon Teal, Royal Blue, Highlighter Yellow, as well as some whites and blacks thrown in for good measure. Themes ran from Red Carpet Diva to Military Power Goddess. Domenico and Stefano may give you Maschile...but Donatella's girl is ALL WOMAN!!!

Ready For Fashion Battle: Versace Fall/Winter 2011

Alitalia Business Class: Versace Fall/Winter 2011

Here Comes The Sun: Versace Fall/Winter 2011

I Am Not Riding On That Vespa: Versace Fall/Winter 2011

Meeting The Pope: Versace Fall/Winter 2011

High-Low Queen: Versace Fall-Winter 2011

Versace Donna Women's Wear Fall/Winter 2011 Full Runway Video: