How to pronounce Dolce and Gabbana, who is Dolce and Gabbana, and what are the must-have Dolce & Gabbana dresses this season?
As one of the most successful luxury brands in the world, Dolce & Gabbana is synonymous with boldness, glamour, and opulence. With floral prints, vivid colors, rich fabrics, and elaborate embroidery, the label’s unique designs transcend trends.
We’re sure you’re already familiar with the label’s Mediterranean flair, but do you know how to pronounce Dolce and Gabbana? While you can make it easier for yourself and abbreviate it to “D&G,” the correct pronunciation is: DOLE-CHAY EH GAB-BAN-AH, “eh” being Italian for “and.”
Dolce & Gabbana: The Origins
Dolce & Gabbana was founded in 1985 by stylists Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The two come from very different backgrounds: Dolce was born in Polizzi Generosa, Sicily, where he worked for his father’s clothing business from a young age, while Gabbana was born in Milan, where he studied graphic design. They met in Milan in the late 1970s, where they both worked as assistant designers for the same fashion house.
A few years later, the two became roommates, romantic partners, and business partners: they established a designer consulting studio, working from a range of clients from their one-room loft. One day, Gabbana told The New Yorker, their accountant suggested they file invoices together, “[putting] Dolce and Gabbana at the top.” And a fashion empire was born.
The Road to Success
The pair’s first collection, “Real Women”, was an ode to Italian women—the two designers didn’t have the money to hire professional models for the Milan Fashion Week, so they asked their friends to model their pieces.
But it wasn’t until their fourth collection that the two designers gained recognition worldwide. Drawing upon Dolce’s Sicilian heritage and inspired by Luchino Visconti’s movie The Leopard, they introduced the iconic “Sicilian Dress.”
“We feel a special bond with Sicily and its people,” said Gabbana. “We enjoy showing the faces and characters that crowd the beautiful market every day.”
So, Dolce & Gabbana grew, grew, and grew some more. The two designers ended their romantic relationship in 2003, but continued working together. They each control 40 percent of the company, while the Dolce family controls the remaining 20 percent.
They have announced that, in the years to come, the Dolce family will inherit the brand. “It’s very strange when you see a new designer for a label,” Gabbana told Vogue Business. “We are afraid of that.”
Dolce and Gabbana Size Chart
Where is Dolce & Gabbana made?
Dolce & Gabbana is proudly made in Italy.
When asked by Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera whether the label’s production was entirely based in Italy, Gabbana stated: “Absolutely. We have 200 contractors working for our group and they are truly crucial to us. We even decided to buy out some of these companies because they were on the brink of closing down and we just didn’t want to lose their special skills.”
While the “made in Italy” moniker is synonymous with premium quality, not all Italian fashion houses manufacture their products in their home country. And that doesn’t mean they are of lesser quality, or inauthentic! Find out where your favorite luxury brand is made.
Dolce & Gabbana must-have dresses
Now you know the history and how to pronounce Dolce and Gabbana, but what is their must-have product? The dresses are impossible to resist—inspired by the founders’ Mediterranean heritage, they exude glamour and sensuality. They are a true statement piece, and a celebrity favorite! How could we forget Madonna in her sleek black gown at the 1997 Golden Globe Awards?
Or Adele in her romantic floral dress in her music video for “Send My Love”? From Jennifer Lopez to Kate Middleton, the duo has dressed stars (and royals!) for the past 40 years.
The Carretto-print midi dress is one of our favorites this season. Dolce & Gabbana’s signature Carretto print reproduces the intricate, unique pattern that characterizes the Sicilian horse drawn cart, a key element of Sicilian folklore. With its vibrant colors, this baroque print reflects a bold, opulent elegance.
If you want to unleash your inner feline, look no further than the Charmeuse long dress. The leopard print, a favorite motif of the designers, embodies boldness and sensuality, and will never go out of style.
But if you’re looking for a more classic design, the Cady dress is the one for you. This chic little black dress features a V-neck and is embellished with a crystal DG logo. The perfect dress for any occasion!
Discover our wide selection of Dolce and Gabbana dresses for women.
About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.