Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda “Absolute Elegance”. Story by RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo / Video Courtesy: Karim Sadli / Dolce & Gabbana.
In the heart of Milan, a tale of absolute elegance unfolded. It was a splendid moment where time seemed to turn back, embracing the graceful essence of the ’50s and ’60s—a resplendent chapter penned by Dolce & Gabbana in their Alta Moda “Absolute Elegance” collection.

In a departure from the grand spectacles usually held in enchanting Italian locales, the fortunate patrons were bestowed with a rarefied invitation. They were not whisked away to distant palaces or ornate settings; instead, they were welcomed into the sanctum of artistry, the very ateliers where the haute couture dreams were spun into reality.
Gathered amidst the hubbub of dedicated artisans and bustling workbenches, the privileged guests embarked on an intimate journey. Champagne sparkled, and the aroma of risotto alla milanese danced in the air as the clients wandered freely, engaging with the meticulous craftsmen, studying intricate drawings, and caressing scraps of opulent fabrics. It was an immersive experience, a familial embrace that unveiled the whispered secrets behind each masterpiece.

Domenico Dolce’s voice resonated with warmth and passion as he expressed, “We wanted to receive at home, almost in famiglia, opening the doors of the atelier so our customers can experience up-close the way we work on collections, how they’re made, the skill and dedication that goes into each piece, and the humanistic value of the handmade.”
The couture presentation echoed a bygone era—a subdued, refined rhythm painted the atmosphere. A modest catwalk emerged amidst the bustling sartoria, models gliding slowly, each holding aloft a card bearing the passage number. The collection spoke volumes in an all-black symphony, echoing the pinnacle of haute couture’s grandeur.
Hourglass silhouettes emerged, akin to delicate sketches gracing pristine white paper. Daywear exuded subtle glamour, standing harmoniously beside opulent evening ensembles. “We wanted to do a collection with no bells and whistles, no embellishments, just going back to the essence of our style,” Stefano Gabbana said. “We wanted purity, and a sense of distinction that’s at the same time molto moderno and timeless.”
The moment crescendoed as a monochrome cinematic tribute, crafted by Karim Sadli, unfurled before the audience. A nod to the Italian Neorealism of the ’50s, it served as a love letter to a bygone era—a celebration of the ardor for sartoria, embodying the Italian ethos of il bel vestire, the art of being impeccably attired under any circumstance.
“Everything is pure and essential in a black dress. Its elegance allows each woman to affirm her own personality, which is as unique as every one of our sartorial creations. Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda is the essence of the purest feminine elegance.” – Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
In the resplendence of a black dress lay a universe of purity and essence. It whispered tales of individuality, allowing each woman to declare her uniqueness, mirroring the distinctiveness inherent in every sartorial masterpiece. Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda stood as the paragon of pristine femininity, an epitome of unparalleled elegance.
As Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana echoed, the essence of their creations resonated with pure, unadulterated femininity—a testament to elegance that transcends time, an embodiment of sophistication that remains eternally poised and dignified.
See Selected Looks of Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda 2023







See Captured moments of the private show















