Maestro from Sicily: Domenico Dolce turns 67

On August 13, Domenico Dolce celebrated his 67th birthday. Since their first show in 1985, he and Stefano Gabbana have created a fashion code impossible to mistake for any other: dramatic lace, corseted silhouettes, and Sicilian opulence. But behind this visual splendor lies a story of perseverance, love for craftsmanship, and the ability to transform a local aesthetic into one recognized across the globe.

Domenico was born in 1957 in Polizzi Generosa, a small town in Sicily. His father owned a tailoring workshop, and his mother ran a clothing boutique. Surrounded by fabrics, patterns, and fittings, Dolce grew up immersed in the world of fashion – by his teenage years, he could already cut and sew.

In interviews, he has often mentioned that Sicily is not just his birthplace, but a source of inspiration and an essential part of his creative vision. “We built our fashion around three fundamental concepts: Sicily, tailoring, and tradition,” he told The Guardian in 2010.

In the late 1970s, Domenico moved to Milan, where he worked as an assistant in an atelier. It was there, in 1980, that he met Stefano Gabbana. Their partnership began with freelance projects, and by 1985 they debuted at the Milano Collezioni – Nuovi Talenti showcase. 

Their first collections were sewn at home, with models who were not professional mannequins but everyday women – a tribute to the ones they saw on Sicilian streets.

Domenico once said, “Our dream is to create a style which is timeless, and to create clothes with such a strong personality that whoever sees them can instantly say without a shadow of a doubt: this is a Dolce & Gabbana.” 

And they succeeded. Lace, corsets, black, leopard print, shawls, crosses, altar motifs, gold – all these appeared in their early collections and became their signature. They reinterpreted the past for the modern woman, making looks that were both sensual and elegant. Dolce & Gabbana were among the first brands to openly build collections around national identity, turning ethnographic motifs into luxury.

In the 1990s, the aesthetic expanded to include masculine trouser suits for women, provocative prints, and floral patterns. 

The brand stood out. In 1993, Madonna commissioned more than 150 stage costumes for her Girlie Show world tour – a contract that turned Dolce & Gabbana into an international phenomenon. Later, their designs were worn by Monica Bellucci (a longtime muse), Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Kylie Minogue.

In 2012, Dolce & Gabbana introduced the Alta Moda line – couture collections inspired by Italian heritage. These were not just fashion shows, but theatrical spectacles set against historic backdrops in Palermo, Portofino, and Venice.

Unlike many designers, Domenico Dolce remained deeply involved in technical processes – from pattern-making to fabric selection. 

Known as a perfectionist with a strict eye for quality, he kept production in Italy and ensured that he and Gabbana maintained control over each collection. Unlike many competitors, Dolce & Gabbana remained independent, refusing to sell shares to fashion conglomerates.

Thanks to Domenico Dolce, the fashion world is reminded that behind every gown seen on the red carpet is a man for whom this is a lifelong passion. Today, the industry says grazie – for the decades of beauty and inspiration he has brought to the world.