How Dolce & Gabbana Empowers Young Fashion Visionary
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have long supported young fashion designers. Increasingly, established luxury brands are following suit. For example, UNXD’s ‘Disco Drip’ collection was co-branded by Dolce&Gabbana and airdropped as digital wearables to ‘DGFamily’ members in Metaverse Fashion Week. This community-led initiative is a powerful demonstration of how traditional fashion institutions are adapting to the web3 revolution.
Sohee Park: A Rising Star in Haute Couture
A London-based designer, Sohee Park is a rising star in haute couture. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, the Seoul native traces her interest in fashion back to a Chanel show she caught on TV as a teenager. The creative potential of the show enthralled the young Park, and they ultimately moved to London to study at the prestiHer hard work results in hard work is a line of dreamy gowns that push fairy-tale fashion to the edge of voluminous designs adorned with caged crinolines, show-stopping prints, and embellished flowers. A whirlwind first year of business for the designer saw her pieces featured on the cover of LOVE magazine and worn by celebrities, including Miley Cyrus during her ‘Midnight Sky’ performance on The Graham Norton Show and Cardi B as she celebrated her Billboard Woman of the Year award. Park is also passionate about sustainability and seeks to source fabric through deadstock and recycled materials.
Matty Bovan: A Maverick in Knitwear
Dolce & Gabbana has long been champions of young talent in the fashion industry. From carving out space in their boutiques to giving designers like Sohee Park and Tomo Koizumi the resources they need to make it, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have always been keen to give back. Matty Bovan is one such designer. The Central Saint Martins graduate, who’s seen his designs worn by Adwoa Aboah and Georgia May Jagger, has a reputation for daring, layered knitwear. For SS17, Bovan created a patchwork of ripped and shredded “sequin effect” lurex with open crochet and spray-painted stencil images. For AW18, the York-born designer takes things further with a knitting machine fair isle patchworked into cropped cardigans and asymmetric skirts in clashing yet wearable colors. While Vivienne Westwood might be the name that comes to mind for many, Bovan is 2019’s answer to the punk aesthetic. And that’s why he’s been picked to show at Milan Fashion Week this season, with the Italian label providing the fabrics and materials he needs to bring his maverick ideas to life.
Tomo Koizumi: Reviving Couture Culture
Tomo Koizumi defies almost every principle of the fashion industry. He doesn’t follow a seasonal calendar, collects accessories like scarves and cardholders, and is adamant about reviving couture culture in the age of Instagram. The Japanese designer is renowned for his frothy dresses, which Lady Gaga and Hong Kong pop star Miriam Yeung have worn. He began his namesake label at University and has since held a runway show in New York supported by stylist Katie Grand. His vibrancy, choice of bright colors, meticulous study of volumes, theatrical shapes, and attention to body positivity have fascinated Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana from his first creations. They invited him to show within their spaces at Milan Fashion Week 2023, where he used archival Vetrate prints to recreate 3D ruffle silhouettes in organza. The collaboration highlights the brand’s unwavering commitment to supporting emerging talent and celebrating fashion as art.
Karoline Vitto: A Visionary for Inclusivity
Karoline Vitto, a young and visionary designer, stands at the intersection of innovation and inclusivity. Born in Brazil and based in London, Vitto’s design ethos challenges conventions and empowers the diverse voices of women. Her graduate collection, unveiled during her Royal College of Art MA degree show in 2019, captured attention for its unapologetic celebration of the female form. Rejecting societal norms, Vitto accentuates the rolls and curves that women are often urged to conceal, embracing them as symbols of beauty. Her designs feature cuffs, cutouts, and carefully selected fabrics, each element highlighting a unique facet of the female body. This raw and refreshing approach earned the admiration of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, leading to her inclusion in the “Supported by Dolce & Gabbana” talent program.
Embracing Emerging Visionaries
Dolce & Gabbana’s embrace of young talents extends beyond the fashion elite. Their support amplifies the voices of designers like Sohee Park, Matty Bovan, and Tomo Koizumi. This commitment is a testament to their dedication to fostering innovation and creativity. As the fashion landscape evolves, Dolce & Gabbana’s role as a guiding force becomes evident, ushering in a new era where emerging designers are celebrated and empowered.