Forecasting the Future

Since 1982, the dynamic duo of Dolce and Gabbana have continued to rise in the fashion world have have become one of the most influential design houses. From the beginning, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have always kept the women in mind and have consistently created sexy, shapely lines that have become the favorites of Hollywood celebrities and even wishful thinkers like myself.

Despite their relationship quarrels, these men have been able to keep both their hands and hearts fully into Dolce and Gabbana. They have come along way since their one line brand and I only predict future growth for Dolce and Gabbana. With their lastest Spring/Summer collection shown for both men and women, I believe that they kept their eye on the end result and created a wonderful co-existing collection.

Both colelctions are pure Italy and wreak of Mediteranean influences. Everything from color, prints, fabrics, and textures were all carefully predicted. Now, whats next for Dolce and Gabbana? They clearly migrated to a different place where other color existed and shyed away from their traditional black and gold. I predict that their next line will continue to contain the vibrancy of this past Spring/Summer collection. There was such a positive response to the color, that black may be put on the back burner for Dolce and Gabbana.

Color executed on the runway of Dolce and Gabbana.

Texture making it's way down the runway.

Intricate shapes being introduced down the runway.

With the discontinuation of the D&G line this past year and the designers main focus on their collections, is it the right choice the future of Dolce and Gabbana? With so many other lines than they once had was it the right choice to redirect their attention. I guess we'll find out, but my guess is yes. Between all their licensisng, and the D&G line that was so comparibly priced, it is good for the duo to revitalize their brand image and take thetime to work on the Dolce and Gabbana men and woman's line. Without the distraction of the D&G line, they are more able to solely focus on their target market and create garments consumers will want to buy that currently have the money to afford them.

The Touch, The Feel, The Texture.

Touch is a sense that we use everyday. The way that something feels pysically can affect how we feel emotionally. Textrue plays an important role in the sense of touch. Texture can be found everywhere from the bedding that you wake up on each morning, to the sweater you decided to dress yourself with, all the way down to the socks you have covering your toes.

Texture in clothing design can be influenced from many places. Nature, art, and home furnishings all influence fashion designers to create garments that people can feel. Dolce and Gabbana utilize fashion in every collection especially in the Spring/Summer 2013 collection that has recently hit the runway.

The appliques that D&G used on these different garments
are exactly identical to the Daisy. This is a perfect way to
show how nature can influence fashion designers.

The fabric used on the front bodice of the dress
and the weaving design used on the skirt
resemble netting that is used in fishing.

Texture could ultimately make or break a garment all beacuse of how it feels. The type of fabric that is used, appliques, beading, and finishings are all extremely important peices of a garment that designers must carefully select. I think that Dolce and Gabbana exectued tecture perfectly in their Spring/Summer 2013 collection!

Color: From Head to Toes.

If you follow fashion at all you know Dolce & Gabbana is pretty consistent with using the color black. However, when you see the Spring/Summer 2013 collection you are instantly mesmerized by all the vibrant colors used. The colors that are so apparent are the bright reds and yellows, the vibrant blues, the forest greens, and the burnt oranges. Some muted tones such as tan and brown are used as well as the traditional black and white.

D&G SS 2013: Burnt Orange with Colored Print

D&G SS 2013: Tan with Red Embroidery

D&G SS 2013: Bright Blue with Brown Combo

Last season was all about the drama and romance with the embroidery and black lace, but this time around, the duo decided to brighten up the runway with an ode to the island of Italy! Just like any good vacation abroad, there was plenty for the eye to take in such as the street-scene printed dresses saturated in primary hues, raffia basket weaves, and the collection's real standouts- the multiple boldly striped dresses, '50s-style short sets, in the vibrant colors against the crisp white.

D&G SS 2013: Red Stripe Short Set

D&G SS 2013: Bright Blue Striped Dress

D&G SS 2013: Forest Green Striped Dress

Not only did the patterns of the collection come from inspiration around the streets of Italy, but the colors did too.

View of Italy: Notice the blue, green, and red.

Streets of Italy: Color inspiration. 

Although it is great to see some color strut down the runway of Dolce & Gabbana they could of taken it even one step further by adding different hues of the colors they had chosen. They could add darker hues to create more depth throughout the collection. I created a second color story(seen below) that could compliment the one they currently have for their Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Since they utilized so many colors in their collection for SS 2013, they could use colors such as these to continue on their colorful path. 

 

Sea, Sun, and Love.

The time finally came for Dolce & Gabbana to hit the Italian runway with their Spring/Summer 2013 collection. The collection was called “Mare. Sole. Amore.” translated to Sea. Sun. Love. The idea of this was inspired by Taormina, Italy, Domenico Dolce's homeland. The duo's collection featured many aspects of Taormina and displayed them in an ode to Italy last week on the runway. After viewing D&G's collection, I was so intrigued as to what exactly in Taormina was incorporated into this collection. To curb my questioning, Google was there to save the day. 

Italy 

Taormina, Italy 

Taormina City, Italy

After seeing all of these beautiful pictures, one thing that really stood out to me was the apparent curve. From the archways of the doors and windows to the actual shaping of Italy they were everywhere, and they just happened to appear on the models of D&G's collection. The arch shape that Dolce grew up seeing was showcased in many dome style dresses constructed out of wicker.  

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

  Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

Another theme that really was showcased and even combined with the dome shaped dresses were these Italian style planting pots. The planters were constructed with bright colors and were in the shapes of faces. These planters are commonly found in Taormina. D&G used a lot of printed fabric with faces such as these in the S/S 2013 collection. 

Taormina Planter

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

The designers took handcrafted pieces from the city and morphed it into a vivid collection. The designers stayed true to who the are by incorporating black lace and brassiere tops. Dolce & Gabbana stuck to their theme of Taormina throughout their entire show in an upbeat, sophisticated way. 

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2013

Ciao! 

Baseball and the Catwalk?

As you all know it is New York Fashion week, and as I sit glued to the live stream on YouTube, my little brother is as equally attached to the television which is constantly playing the American pastime-baseball. Obviously my little brother doesn't understand why I am so intrigued by these beautiful runway shows, nor do I understand why watching one of the slowest sports alive is so exciting to him, but as New York fashion week comes to an end, I got my answer. Fashion to us women is like sports to men. Instead of famous athletes coming together to play their favorite game, amazing designers gather in a city and let the world see their talents. So it got me thinking- why can't men be as interested in fashion week as they are into sports? We all know they could benefit a lot more from watching the runway then from watching the game.

As I compare the thoughts that are filling my head- men and fashion, sports and runways, I instantly thought of two men that subconciously combinded the two, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Their menswear line for Spring 2013 that was shown this summer went back to their roots of Italy as baseball does in America. Dolce & Gabbana, in this recent collection titled moltissimo Sicily, utilized real men from all over Sicilian towns and villages, with just a sprinkle of male models, which needless to say, looked extremley out of place. Everything from the raw edges of the garments to the distressed look of the garments just felt so rough and real. The line featured layers of extremely fine wool, linen, and woven cotton, colored stripes and bold graphics. The had young men in slouchy trousers and a striped tank or relaxed fit shorts with a knit top. It wasn't your typical sleek menswear for Dolce & Gabbana, it was more.. relaxed, it was more relateable, it was more comfortable. I can't wait to see what they do next this month in Milan fashion week!

Paige Who?

Hello all you bloggers!

Seeing as I am new to this, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Paige. I am currently a senior at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI pursuing a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Marketing with a concentration in Product Development. I am celebrating my one year anniversary with an amazing company called Alex and Ani. At this point in my life, I am trying to map out my future endeavors while patiently waiting to graduate. I'm writing this blog for my Fashion Forecasting class. I will be posting every Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday with my insights on different aspects in the world of fashion.

I hope you enjoy, want to continue reading, and turn the page.