Lights, Camera, Action at Dolce & Gabbana
Review of Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2025 Men’s Fashion Show
By Angela Baidoo
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Paparazzi, Red Carpet Craftsmanship, Effortless Hollywood Glam
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have never been designers who focus on radical revolution, instead opting for a slow evolution which travels back-and-forth through their archives and significant cultural moments from their Italian heritage to inform their collections. Crafting an aesthetic that has always appealed to a classic form of traditional masculinity, even when it would sometimes veer into the world of hyper-sexualized Adonis worship that would satisfy both the female and male gaze – their underwear (especially the 2010 Calico collection advert) and fragrance campaigns set in locker rooms, gyms, and yachts being prime examples.
The shifting luxury market that is affecting the bottom line of luxury brands across the globe is motivating many to look inward and revisit their most influential collections from particularly popular eras. For Dolce & Gabbana the 2000s and its amplification of a ‘larger-than-life’ lifestyle for the aspirational customer was the perfect setting for the brand to gain ground. Despite the shows title revealed as ‘Paparazzi’, and the collection centring around the “fascinating world of cinema” according to the show notes, today’s collection also took a trip back down the early-aughts memory lane, going back through the duo’s archive also reveals that their Fall 2008 collection must have been on their moodboard, as it too was an exercise in effortless charm for everyday dressing which consisted of a palette of textured natural tones and grey marls, with fur-lined outerwear featuring heavily alongside baker boy caps and velvet. A horizontal knitted sweater and fur-lined cardigan – which was a hit at mass-market retailers – also made a comeback and will delight those who are seeking more bang for their buck with designs that do double-duty.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
In their studied ode to the red carpet where statement brooches were inspired by the 1940s, and cinematic icons inspired ‘dawn to dusk’ looks, Dolce and Gabbana have inadvertently met the moment, as Hollywood wrestles with how to move forward with some of their biggest scheduled events – from the SAG Awards to the Oscars – todays show had an air of solidarity for when the shows go on after the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
