Have a Sweet—Dolce—& Gabbana New Year!

As we close out the old year and look forward to the new one, I have begun to set our compass on what the griffes are predicting for 2011.

Hopefully not sounding like a broken record, the focus of this site is on emerging designers, yet without forgetting the long emerged.

As for a griffe that has been long established in the men’s world of fashion, there is probably none other than Dolce and Gabbana.

Two Italian men who were not afraid to express their bold views on raw masculinity, fearless femininity, elegant sensuality, and refined fragility…

With the equivalent of $1,000 in their pocket, Dolce and Gabbana embarked on their label a little over 25 years ago.

Stefano Gabbana was born 1962 in Milano, Italy; while Domenico Dolce was born 1958 outside Palermo in Sicily.

The two young men met 1980 in Milano and soon formed a partnership; today, they continue business as friends.

For 2011, Dolce & Gabbana fix their attention on “Sicilian Sensuality,” continuing their theme from 2010.

So, I would like to say Happy New Year to all with this video of Dolce & Gabban spring/summer 2011 collection:



See more images here.

Photos Copyright Dolce & Gabbana.

2011 According to Dolce & Gabbana

Summertime Tailoring
Extra light washed silk. Linen and raw hemp woven like baskets.

Shirts in poplin and washed muslin cotton. Extra light washed and rubbed-down cotton. Sandblasted denim.

Sweaters in jute or in interwoven jute and leather. Extra light silk sweaters.

Open-work leather shoes or made with new techniques to hand-sew leather. Interwoven Sicilian style leather sandals.

String or leather sandals like those worn by Sicilian fishermen.

Interwoven leather bags that take inspiration from those used by the farmers in the South of Italy.

Soft volumes and sensuality: everything is made in the most classic and traditional summertime tailoring TRADITION.

Light and Shadow
White and black suits with an “out-in-the-sun” effect: the colors of the fabric look like they faded away because of the long exposure in the sun.

The color of sand hints the beach, while beige recalls the tangle of peasants’ baskets.

Heat
The need and desire to slow down from the hectic rhythm of life thus taking back one’s own time.

The whole collection turns around the concept of a more relaxed and sensual kind of elegance.

This concept is also expressed through swimsuits made of knitwear and coordinated with the sweaters that recall the popular concept of the famous “Italian Vitelloni.”

See the whole collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Dolce & Gabbana.

Dolce & Gabbana and the World Cup: Forza Italia!

The new advertising campaign for Dolce&Gabbana Underwear stars five of the most representative Italian football players. Antonio Di Natale, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Claudio Marchisio, Federico Marchetti and Domenico Criscito are the new faces and bodies of the Dolce&Gabbana Underwear advertising campaign.

The players, photographed by Mariano Vivanco in a vintage style changing room, display healthy and athletic bodies sculpted through rigorous training sessions and discipline.

The protagonist Antonio Di Natale is a forward player for Udinese football team. In 2009/2010 he became the top goal scorer ever in the team's history. He first wore the National team shirt at the age of 25 on November 20th 2002. On November 18th 2009, in occasion of his 30th game with the team, he wore the captain's band with the National team for the first time in the friendly match Italy- Sweden (1-0).

Vincenzo Iaquinta played his first match with the National team in March 2005. He scored his first goal for the team in the game against Ghana during the 2006 World Cup, which Italy went on to win. Since 2007 he is a forward player for Juventus football club.

Claudio Marchisio grew up in the youth black and white team and currently plays midfield for Juventus football club. At the young age of 24 he had already worn the captain's band for the black and white team during the Juventus- Fulham game of the Europa League this past March 11th (3-1). He made his debut with the National team August 12th 2009 at the age of 23 in the friendly match Switzerland-Italy (0-0).

Federico Marchetti was nominated best goal keeper for the 2008/2009 season on October 22nd 2009. Currently he defends Cagliari's goal and he is the second goal keeper for the National team with which he made his debut at the age of 26 on June 6th 2009 in the game Italy- Northern Ireland (3-0).

Domenico Criscito is a midfielder/defender for Genoa cfc with which he has played over 100 games. He has played in all the youth National teams and on August 12th 2009, at the young age of 22, he made his debut with the premier National team in the friendly match Switzerland-Italy.

Text & Photo Copyright Dolce & Gabbana.

Uomo Moda Spring 2010: “The All-Star Issue”

It’s out! Uomo Moda Spring 2010—the menswear magazine for which I am managing editor—is once again on the streets of Egypt, in the Marriott’s, and within the VIP halls of Egypt Air.

Now you can have a look for yourself:

To read the articles, see the list below:
Be a Star in Spring 2010: Editorial, Uomo Moda
PUMA: Over 60 Years of Reaching for the Stars
Dolce & Gabbana: 2 Stars in Italian Luxury
Dolce & Gabbana 2010 Spring Collection: “Extreme Beauty”
United Colors of Benetton: A Family of Stars
Benetton's Star Desginer: Vincenzo Scognamiglio
United Colors of Benetton: 2010 Spring/Summer Collection
Tween: a Rising Star
The Tween 2010 Spring Collection: “Modern Masculinity”

Photo & slideshow Copyright Uomo Moda.

Dolce & Gabbana 2010 Spring Collection: “Extreme Beauty”

The 2010 spring collection of Dolce & Gabbana takes us on a voyage to the extreme beauty of Sicily—the largest island of the Mediterranean and a historical crossroads of cultures for millennia.

Sicily’s enticing allure lies not only in its mountainous landscapes and pristine beaches but also within its inhabitants, descendents of an exotic mixture.

Waves of cultures have washed upon the sandy shores of this sunny island from ancient times, spanning from the ancient Greeks and Romans to the French and Arabs, the latter of whom briefly ruled the island a thousand years ago!

This spring season, Dolce & Gabbana journeys to the Sicilian countryside to pay tribute to the classic beauty of Sicilian men in all their outward virility and inward ruggedness.

The manly collection pays particular homage to the voluptuousness of the sartorial suit, carefully sown with attention to the finest details, from the proportions of the lapel to the selection of fabrics.

The embroidery has been crowned star of the collection as it symbolizes our longing for beauty, which is fulfilled on every garment, from the jackets and trousers to the scarves and velvet slippers.

As you pursue personal perfection this spring season, Extreme Beauty will lift your eyes to the future so that you may uncover the meaning of timeless elegance.


Watch the Video!


Read all the articles by Francesco in 2010 Spring Uomo Moda:
Uomo Moda ‘10 Spring Edition—the All-Star Issue
Be a Star in Spring 2010: Editorial, Uomo Moda
PUMA: Over 60 Years of Reaching for the Stars
Dolce & Gabbana: 2 Stars in Italian Luxury
United Colors of Benetton: A Family of Stars
Benetton's Star Desginer: Vincenzo Scognamiglio
United Colors of Benetton: 2010 Spring/Summer Collection
Tween: a Rising Star
The Tween 2010 Spring Collection: “Modern Masculinity”

Photos 2010 spring/summer collection, Copyright Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana: 2 Stars in Italian Luxury

The brilliance and splendor of the Dolce & Gabbana label owes to the life and success of 2 Italian men, who, besides dressing a universe of Hollywood stars, dare to traverse a galaxy of ever-changing styles.

In this all-star issue of Spring 2010 Uomo Moda, it is my pleasure to introduce you to 2 of the brightest supernovas on the international scene of menswear: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Born of a tailor in 1958, Domenico Dolce was raised in his family’s clothing factory just outside of Palermo, Sicily, in a small town named Polizzi Generosa. Gabbana, who was born 1962 in Milan, first sought a career in graphic design, which he studied at university, later shifting his attention to apparel design.

Pursuing his dream of a career in fashion, Dolce moved from Sicily to Milan where he first crossed paths with Gabbana in 1980. Dolce was the first designer in an atelier where Gabbana applied for a job. Two years later, the two young men rolled up their sleeves as partners and began freelancing for other companies.

After a dazzling debut in Milan at the 1985 Milano Collezioni—New Talents, Dolce and Gabbana inaugurated their premium brand label, which has beamed brightly on the international market ever since!

In January of 1990, Dolce and Gabbana launched their first menswear collection, which was followed by numerous lines of accessories, beachwear, underwear, home furnishings, fragrances, as well as uncountable awards, joint ventures, and sports partnerships.

For 25 years, the creations of Dolce and Gabbana have radiated with confidence, irony, and passionate sensuality.

Their label has fused together an eclectic mix of northern and southern Italian influences, drawing on fads of the past to set trends for the future.

Casting off all restraints, Dolce & Gabbana romantically court the conventions of traditional society, which they convert, almost subvert, into lavish garments of stylish perfection.

So, just who is the typical Dolce & Gabbana male, you ask?

First of all, the Dolce & Gabbana man dresses himself for himself. Slightly hedonistic, he pays meticulous attention to detail.

The Dolce & Gabbana male is free, setting the rules yet not allowing them to bind him.

Charismatic and successful, he is the sort of guy that can pull off jeans at the workplace or a jacket and tie at a picnic.

In one word, he is a star! Maybe he’s you?!

Read all the articles by Francesco in 2010 Spring Uomo Moda:
Uomo Moda ‘10 Spring Edition—the All-Star Issue
Be a Star in Spring 2010: Editorial, Uomo Moda
PUMA: Over 60 Years of Reaching for the Stars
Dolce & Gabbana 2010 Spring Collection: “Extreme Beauty”
United Colors of Benetton: A Family of Stars
Benetton's Star Desginer: Vincenzo Scognamiglio
United Colors of Benetton: 2010 Spring/Summer Collection
Tween: a Rising Star
The Tween 2010 Spring Collection: “Modern Masculinity”

Photos 2010 spring/summer collection, Copyright Dolce & Gabbana.

Uomo Moda ‘10 Spring Edition—the All-Star Issue

Well it is that time of the year, again, to send the publisher all articles for the next issue of Uomo Moda—the 1st and only all menswear magazine in Egypt.

As managing editor of fashion, I am very excited to present you with a sneak preview of the Spring 2010 Edition.

While my articles here at Men’s Fashion by Francesco focus primarily on emerging designers and budding labels, Uomo Moda blends this emphasis with many household name brands.

So over the next few days, I will be bringing you articles on PUMA, Dolce & Gabbana, United Colors of Benetton, and the less-known brand Tween, as well as an exclusive interview with Benetton’s creative director and designer—Vincenzo Scognamiglio.

Since the Egyptian football team—the Pharaohs—recently won the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for a successive 3rd time and a total of 7 times, I have dedicated the entire issue to all stars, including you!

I hope you enjoy the reading!

Be a Star in Spring 2010: Editorial, Uomo Moda
PUMA: Over 60 Years of Reaching for the Stars
Dolce & Gabbana: 2 Stars in Italian Luxury
Dolce & Gabbana 2010 Spring Collection: “Extreme Beauty”
United Colors of Benetton: A Family of Stars
Benetton's Star Desginer: Vincenzo Scognamiglio
United Colors of Benetton: 2010 Spring/Summer Collection
Tween: a Rising Star
The Tween 2010 Spring Collection: “Modern Masculinity”

Photo Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.