Shapely lingerie models, animal and floral prints and the Mediterranean heritage of Sicily have come to define the romantic and sensual style of Dolce & Gabbana, a leading international brand that from its earliest days of corsetry, copious lace and provocative silhouettes has challenged fashion with an audacious vision for femininity.
After meeting in Milan in 1980 while they were both working for Italian designer Giorgio Correggiari, Domenico Dolce (b. 1958) and Stefano Gabbana (b. 1962) would go on to establish their eponymous fashion empire in 1982. Three years later, a breakthrough for the duo materialized in the form of an up-and-coming talent showcase at Milan Fashion Week, where they unveiled an approach to fashion design that broke sharply from that of the era’s reigning Italian houses. By then romantic partners as well as a business, Dolce & Gabbana were outsiders. Soon, their distinctive garments — sexy, feathery skirts and stretchy jersey evening dresses that favored full figures — demanded the fashion world’s undivided attention.
Though Dolce & Gabbana forged a path in womenswear that would take shape with a 1986 collection called “Real Women,” the brand’s offerings broadened quickly to encompass knitwear, swimwear, lingerie, ready-to-wear, menswear and perfume. In the early 1990s, Madonna helped catapult the luxury house to international stardom: The renowned singer and actress famously tapped the brand to create the looks for her 1993 tour “The Girlie Show.” It saw Madonna working closely with the designers and even starring in their ad campaigns. Dolce & Gabbana has continued to develop a high-profile clientele that includes pop sensations such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. The latter donned Dolce & Gabbana’s armor corset dress in the music video for her hit single “Paparazzi.”
Rather than following the rapidly changing trends of fashion, Dolce & Gabbana have instead held to their close-fitting tailoring and decadent designs. The house continues to work with recurring themes such as the culture of Italy and Catholicism, which is manifest, specifically, in their widespread use of black lace, a fabric that references the dresses worn by Sicilian widows. The duo is also inspired by Italian cinema and its icons such as Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren; in 2015 they introduced the Sophia No. 1 lipstick in her honor.
Although Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana separated as a couple in 2005, they continued their business as a creative partnership. In 2012, they closed their less expensive D&G ready-to-wear line to focus on exclusive extravagance, such as their Alta Moda custom pieces. Today, Dolce & Gabbana maintains a popularity with a wealthy clientele, and the house’s 2020s collections have featured technological experiments that update traditional styles, such as a bouclé jacket with a pixel-like pattern, as well as throwbacks to the 1990s fashion that made the brand a household name.
Find vintage Dolce & Gabbana handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
2000 Dolce & Gabbana Runway Beaded Tassel Mini Skirt
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
This incredible, high-octane skirt walked the runway as part of Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2000 show. Another runway version was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker when she presented the MTV...
Dolce & Gabbana Vintage Beaded Fringe Mini Skirt Runway Spring Summer S/S 2000
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Baar, CH
Rare ultra low-rise mini skirt from the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2000 runway collection. The design features densely hand-applied multicolour horizontal bugle beads, a crys...
RARITY! Dolce & Gabbana Couture Embroidered Fringed Skirt 1990s-2000s
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
For sale is a rare skirt from the Dolce & Gabbana Haute Couture (Alta Moda) line. Date: late 1990s - early 2000s. This is not just vintage, but a true work of art, reflecting the bra...
$10,530
Size: 42 I (Vintage)
DOLCE & GABBANA Fall 1991 Runway Multicoloured Crystal-Embellished Mini Skirt
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Munich, DE
"You can not beat Dolce & Gabbana early '90s, especially these [crystal-embellished] looks", said Kim Kardashian when presenting the Kim x Dolce & Gabbana collection for Spring/Summer 2023 inspired by her favourite archival looks which included some reinterpretations of the iconic crystal-adorned pieces from Fall 1991. Oh! Jackie is delighted to offer this important and rare Dolce & Gabbana crystal-embellished mini skirt from the original Fall 1991 collection. It is a spectacular example of the brand's penchant for ornate decoration and unparalleled craftsmanship. The sister mini skirt with clear crystals and various designs with multicoloured stones walked the runway of that season worn by the 1990s super model crowd amongst them Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon and Linda Evangelista. Please have a look at the reference photos. Like several other exceptional vintage pieces that are already available in the shop, the skirt comes direct from a German socialite and fashion collector so has not been on the market prior to this. The regular-rise mini skirt is made in Italy from a black slightly stretchy fabric and covered in large different shaped light-catching multicoloured crystals. The design features a fitted cut accentuating your hips and a side zip and hook-and-eye fastening. Weighted, due to heavy embellishments and unlined. Labeled "DOLCE & GABBANA". Tagged an Italian size 42 but runs much smaller. Comes with a Dolce & Gabbana dust bag. Own a collectible piece of fashion history that transcends eras, embodying the spirit of Dolce & Gabbana's iconic Fall 1991 collection – a skirt that not only adorns your wardrobe but narrates a story of iconic runway moments. Excellent vintage condition with all crystals present. Waist: 62 cm – 24.41" (unstretched) Hips: 86 cm – 33.86" (unstretched) Length: 33 cm – 13" Weight: 2 kg – 4.4 lbs Measurements for waist and hips are taken flat across from side seam to side seam and then DOUBLED. Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS Reference photos: Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista and other 1990s super models walking the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 1991 Runway / Niki Taylor...
Dolce & Gabbana 1990s Couture Hand-Embroidered Skirt, Circa 1999
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
A rare couture find from late-1990s Dolce & Gabbana, this hand-embroidered skirt is a true work of art. Featuring intricate beadwork and embellishments throughout, the skirt is ful...
$6,194
Size: IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Dolce & Gabbana black corseted mini skirt with gold chains and beads, ss 1991
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
▪ Dolce & Gabbana black corseted mini skirt ▪ Gold metal chain detail ▪ Beaded tassels ▪ Metal hook closures at centre-back ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 1991
Alessandro Dell'Acqua Embroidered Beaded Overlay Sheer Skirt, 1990s
By Alessandro Dell'Acqua
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Naples-born designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua made his mark of the fashion scene in 1996 in Milan. Dell’Acqua’s design style can be described as tailored yet charmingly eccentric with a...
Dolce & Gabbana Black Sheer Skirt With Beaded Fringe SS 2000
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana black skirt featuring beaded fringe throughout, sheer lace, and an invisible back zipper. * Dolce & Gabbana * Size IT 42 * Fabric: 50% Viscose, 50% Nylon * 2000 SS...
$1,595
Size: 42 / US 6 - 8
1990s Dolce & Gabbana Size 42 6-8 Hot Pink Colorful Beaded Jeweled Vintage Skirt
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing late 90s DOLCE & GABBANA colorful hot pink tweed mini skirt ! Features bright colors of pink, red, tan and ivory throughout. Big neon green / yellow beads across the hips. Hi...
1990s Genny By Gianni Versace Baroque Beaded and Sequinned Skirt
By Gianni Versace for Genny
Located in London, GB
This magnificently ornate skirt was most likely designed by Gianni Versace and created by Italian ready-to-wear manufacturer Genny. Versace became the Creative Director at Genny in 1...
