Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Parigi “Les Siciliennes Are Going to Paris” Spring Summer 2025. Story by RUNWAY MAGAIZNE. Photo Courtesy: Dolce & Gabbana.
Paris, the beating heart of haute couture, welcomed a Sicilian procession like no other. On the eve of Haute Couture Week, Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce transported their Alta Moda universe to La Ville Lumière with an impromptu runway show that was as enigmatic as it was opulent. Titled “Les Siciliennes Are Going to Paris,” the event marked a dramatic homage to the eternal interplay between Sicilian mystique and Parisian refinement, staged within the sumptuous Hôtel de la Marine.
This private spectacle followed the unveiling of the duo’s retrospective exhibition Du Coeur à la Main at the Grand Palais, celebrating a decade of Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda. If the exhibition was a love letter to their craft, this show was a Sicilian aria sung in the language of Parisian couture—a dramatic crescendo in their storied career.
Black as the Soul of Sicily and Paris
The collection, steeped in the mystery of black, brought Sicilian passion to the French capital. Dolce & Gabbana’s signature shade took center stage as a powerful counterpoint to Paris’s celebrated chic, embodying both solemnity and extravagance, purity and allure. Black became the ultimate canvas for a breathtaking array of embellishments: intricate lace embroidery, golden Baroque appliqué, and theatrical silhouettes that ranged from sensuously tailored to extravagantly voluminous.
The show unfolded as a devotional procession from Palermo to Paris, weaving Sicilian culture’s sacred and profane elements into haute couture. Models embodied the many faces of Sicilian womanhood: somber widows adorned with rosaries and gilded crosses, femme fatales in embellished cocoons and capes, and coquettish ingénues flaunting corsets and fishnets beneath sheer, diaphanous creations. It was a stunning tableau of contrasts, evoking centuries of Sicilian tradition while nodding to Parisian sophistication.
A Sicilian-French Dialogue
The show also served as a cultural dialogue between Sicily and France. Although French rule over Sicily was brief in the 14th century, its influence left an indelible mark, from language to cuisine. Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda Parigi reimagined this historical exchange, blending Sicilian heritage with Paris’s haute couture legacy.
Stefano and Domenico paid homage to Paris with a collection that was quintessentially Sicilian yet unmistakably couture. By showcasing their most traditional and lavish pieces, they ensured that their work stood out even amidst Paris’s unparalleled haute couture prowess.
An Evening of Elegance
The exclusive guest list for this intimate show read like a who’s who of Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda’s most loyal clients, all resplendent in the designers’ latest creations. Following the show, the celebration continued with a decadent dinner at the Ritz, where luminaries such as Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Catherine Deneuve, Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci, and even Tim Burton gathered to toast the designers’ triumph. Dolce Gabbana mingled with guests late into the night, adding a touch of warmth to an evening already glowing with extravagance.
A Crowning Touch
“Les Siciliennes Are Going to Paris” wasn’t just a runway show; it was a declaration. By secretly opening Haute Couture Week, Dolce & Gabbana reminded the world of their unparalleled ability to combine history, culture, and fashion into a spectacle that transcends borders. It was a crowning touch to their Parisian journey—a celebration of Sicilian soul and Parisian refinement, a symphony of black, and a testament to the enduring power of Alta Moda.
See Key looks Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Parigi Spring Summer 2025
