Dolce & Gabbana Marks 40 Years
Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2026 collection celebrates 40 years with sharp tailoring, black-on-black layering, and signature lace and corsetry. Despite industry flux and leadership changes at competing Italian houses, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana stick to their established codes. The collection cements their role as a North Star in luxury fashion.
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the brand's founders, remain its sole owners and creative leaders, a rarity in an industry marked by corporate acquisitions and shareholder demands. This independence allows them to maintain a consistent vision, unlike competitors such as Gucci, Versace, and Valentino, which have all seen significant creative director changes in 2024 and 2025. The brand's core aesthetic is a direct reflection of Domenico Dolce's Sicilian heritage, frequently incorporating elements of Italian cinema from the 1940s and 50s. Signature looks throughout their four decades have included bustier dresses, black lace, corsetry, and baroque prints, creating a sensual and distinctly Mediterranean style. To commemorate their 40th anniversary, the house launched a traveling exhibition titled "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana." After debuting in Milan and Paris, the exhibit, featuring hundreds of archival pieces, is scheduled to run at Miami's Institute of Contemporary Art until June 14, 2026, showcasing their handmade craftsmanship. While celebrating their legacy, the brand's history is also marked by numerous controversies. These include a 2013 collection with "Blackamoor" imagery, which drew accusations of racism, and public statements by the designers against gay adoption and IVF in 2015. In 2018, the brand faced a significant backlash in China over a series of videos titled "Eating with Chopsticks," which were widely condemned as racist and stereotypical. Leaked messages allegedly from Stefano Gabbana containing further derogatory comments led to the cancellation of a major Shanghai fashion show. Despite the controversies, the company has maintained its independence. The founders have rejected all acquisition offers and have indicated a desire for Domenico Dolce's family to take over the brand in the future, with his brother, Alfonso Dolce, currently serving as CEO. For the fiscal year ending in March 2025, Dolce & Gabbana reported revenues of €1.9 billion, a 4% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by an 11% rise in wholesale, though the company also reported a widened net loss.
