We've arrived: Please don't call us trendy

28 May 2015 - 02:01 By Andrea Nagel

Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce hate the word "trendy". After 30 years in business, they say they're most interested in honing their craft and making clothes that transcend the whims of fashion. Gabbana was born in Milan and trained as a graphic designer but Dolce, the son of a tailor father and a shop owner mother, was born in Polizzi Generosa in Sicily. Both his tailoring background (he made his first pair of trousers at the age of six or seven he said) and Sicily form the bedrock of the Dolce & Gabbana brand.An incredible understanding of tailoring always underpinned the collections for both men and women. ''Masculine tailoring is my obsession," said Dolce. It was when the two designers were offered a slot at the end of the Fashion Week schedule in 1984 that they found a name for their brand - Dolce & Gabbana. They spoke about this and the launch of their new store in Sandton City's Diamond WalkWhy is now the right time to open a store in South Africa?SG: We realised we were present in all the continents, initially in Europe, but also in North and South America, where many new boutiques are opening. We also reached the Orient, and opened a store in Melbourne, Australia. Expanding to 323 selling points, Africa was the only one missing, and we thought that Johannesburg was the ideal choice. This city is the continent's capital, a commercial and cosmopolitan city, a reference point for shopping and tourism. Also, the more we observe the way South Africans dress, the more we recognise that our collection actually reflects their taste. We hope that both men and women will fall in love with us, just as we did with their continent (we love to visit for vacations).Is the African market seen as an unclaimed territory by European fashion labels?DD: It was, before a few weeks ago. We have now opened an 800m2 boutique with a five-metre high entrance, which is like any other of our stores in Milan, London, New York and Dubai. Our latest runway collections are now available to South Africans as they are to the rest of the world. We're not contaminating your fashion. Instead we're bringing our Italian handcrafted and tailored dressmaking, our perfected lace, and our accessories, our jewellery line created by Italian goldsmiths, and our watch collection, which we design and create in Switzerland to add to what you already have available.You've been asked about a lack of diversity on the designers' catwalk shows.SG: We are Italian and we are not racists ... it's difficult sometimes to find a Chinese Sicilian. We work with Naomi [Campbell], Chiara [Francini], but sometimes it's difficult, a challenge because it's a very Italian brand.What do you think of South African designs?SG: I've seen many brightly coloured typical dresses. The strength of typical African design seems to be colour.Will we see an African influence in your next collection?DD: We don't say no. Our fashion arises from Sicily and from there it grows and develops. Our label speaks of being Italian, of the Sicilian way of life, the Mediterranean sensuality, but we also take inspiration from different cultures and interpret them.SG: Perhaps we will visit Johannesburg again and create a collection inspired by the stunning colours we see on your streets.How would you describe your style to a South African who doesn't know the label?SG: Modern Italian sensuality for women. Black lace, leopard spotted skin, flowers, Sicilian prints, polka dots and stripes for both feminine and masculine styles. You will also find our iconic Sicily bag in colourful variations, and our little black dress, and our tuxedo paired with a white silk shirt.DD: For men, we like three-piece suits, a white shirt and slim black tie. But we also make suits in other colours; red, purple and green to pair with two-tone lace-up shoes.additional reporting by Tamsin Blanchard ©The Daily TelegraphDolce & Gabbana's new store is now open in Sandton City's Diamond Walk..

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