No other place could portray the grandeur of Dolce & Gabbana’s craftsmanship like the Grand Palais can. Until 31 March 2025, the recently renovated monument will be embellished and adorned with Italian glamour to welcome the exhibition Dolce & Gabbana: From the Heart to the Hands, a love letter to Italian culture and artistic exploration.
Through more than 200 creations, 300 handmade accessories, and 130 pieces of furniture and antiques spanning across 1,200 square meters, the label showcases its traditional yet modern approach to clothing, as well as its Sicilian opulence, Mediterranean sensuality, and provocative maximalism. Curated by Florence Müller, the exhibit displays the intricate and maximalist world of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
Ten rooms, separated by themes, are at the center of this display, where dramatic contrasts, baroque aesthetics, and understated sensuality create a parallel universe of design—the world according to Dolce & Gabbana. This exhibition is not only a testament to the brand’s unique vision but also serves as a space to comprehend the designers’ modern vision and their traditional approach to garment making.
The brand’s ability to blend art, Italian craftsmanship, and religious symbols has created one of the most recognizable iconographies in the industry. From crosses, Madonnas, sacred hearts, mosaic inspirations, and golden details, D&G has shaped the collective imagery of Catholicism in fashion. Inspired by their own upbringing, the designers are known for their use of diverse visual elements to represent themes of devotion, aristocracy, and the divine, creating a kitsch yet stylish visual vocabulary.
For Dolce & Gabbana, the artisanal practice is embedded with a desire to create opulent and solemn pieces. The Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, and Alta Gioielleria collections stand as a testament to the brand’s technical prowess and ambitious pursuit of excellence in crafting theatrical works of art. Dramatic pieces reflect the designers’ love for opera and ballet. Some of the collections exhibited are reminiscent of Renaissance paintings, creating a sense of historicity and artistry.
Pieces from the Fall-Winter 2017 and 2019 collections are showcased as representations of the brand’s influences in Greek, Arab, and Byzantine art. Inspired by goddesses and gods, as well as mosaic motifs, the garments serve as proof of the brand’s fascination with historical and artistic references, as well as its mastery of visual splendor. The decoration of different rooms enhances the various themes and acts as a magnifier of the label’s realm—entering them is like stepping into the minds of the creators and their provocative, high-energy styling.
Handcrafted details, meticulous embroidery, and delicate lace reflect a dedication to artisanal excellence and a deep appreciation for Sicilian culture. Through colorful designs, they highlight the role that Sicilian ceramics have played in shaping their signature codes. Exuberant motifs create eclectic designs and showcase the designers’ love for flamboyance. This dramatism is also portrayed in their rendition of White Baroque through sculptural and voluminous gowns.
Quintessential to the brand’s aesthetic is its high-glamour and sensual approach to womenswear. Interpreted through leopard prints, corsetry, sheer lace, body-hugging silhouettes, and bold patterns, it creates a juxtaposition between the brand’s traditional Catholic values and its modern view of femininity. Embracing maximalism and excess through the mix-and-match of motifs, this contemporary approach is accompanied by a sense of nostalgia for the past.
The exhibition succeeds in portraying the maximalist, dramatic, and visually overwhelming world of Dolce & Gabbana. The viewer can easily immerse themselves in a realm where Baroque flourishes, intricate embroidery, and rich brocades seamlessly blend with leopard prints, polka dots, and florals. Key to the exhibition is the respect and admiration for traditional Italian techniques and artisans, who help designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana bring their ideas to life through research and unique methods. The exhibition showcases Dolce & Gabbana as a brand unique in its genre, where tradition, modernity, and spirituality combine to create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.