Sunday: Next up for us was Dolce & Gabbana’s “Italian Journey,” which featured their conversation with Alexandra Shulman. There’s no denying the depth of Stefano and Domenico’s vision, and their unwavering commitment to it. The question, though, remained: would their recent controversies overshadow the talk? The answer? No. By launching into a discussion on Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda, the conversation stayed on the work. Throughout the talk, Stefano and Domenico were witty, playful and opinionated.
Unsurprisingly, these two almost seemed like relics of another time. Stefano has pulled back somewhat from social media in recent years. Domenico revealed that he doesn’t have an email address (Did we hear that right?). They’re also resisting changes happening elsewhere in the industry. They won’t consider launching their collections simultaneously with their runway shows, as Burberry, Tom Ford and Vetements have recently chosen to do. Furthermore, Stefano and Domenico reject the idea of combining the men’s and women’s shows. “Men are men, and women are women,” pronounced Stefano, his finger waving in the air, even as Alexandra offered possible logistical solutions.
Finally, Stefano and Domenico revealed they have no desire for the Dolce & Gabbana brand to continue on after their deaths. Why allow other designers to earn money by trading on the Dolce & Gabbana name, Stefano asked? All this, they explain, is justified by their clients’ wants. The Dolce & Gabbana strategy has helped establish a massive, yet independent empire. Who is to argue?
After their conversation, Stefano and Domenico were also available for signings. The duo remained affable and gracious. These after-presentation signings added a personal touch to the festival. These opportunities are rare for the general public.
Our second day at the Vogue Festival was a short one, due to a prior engagement. However, while strolling around and fashion spotting, we had another Grace Coddington encounter! This was completely by chance, as she was stopping into the Vogue Store to buy a bottle of her perfume, Grace. Apparently, she had given away her supply to friends and had to restock. Remembering us from the day before, she graciously allowed us to get a snapshot with her. What an amazing opportunity to stand with her in Vogue World, in front a wall of covers she was largely responsible for creating. Needless to say, Grace had completely made our weekend.
To wrap up, we regret missing Guram Gvasalia and Alessandro Michele. We’ve heard their talks were brilliant. There’s always next year, when more of the big names in fashion will surely participate. We also aim for catching more of the presentations and joining in on more of the Masterclasses.
