Showing Off Their Sleek Side
Review of Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2024 Fashion Show
By Angela Baidoo
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
THE THEME
Showcasing their perspective on ‘Sleek’ design, Dolce and Gabbana are manifesting all the connotations around Italian design and packaging it up in a sensual way, because when you think of the word ‘Sleek’ (as it appeared on the shows invitation) and Italian design the mind wanders to cars, such as the Ferrari, and furniture, such as the Arco lamp.
There is an atypical attitude of hyper-masculinity when it comes to the Dolce & Gabbana man, yet every season that idea is turned on its head when sensual fabrics, delicate details, and contoured silhouettes uncover a softer side to the brand. Facing into the idea of duality, which has been trending in almost every show so far during Men’s fashion week. A starting point of sharp tailoring made way for intermittent moments of ultra-feminine flourishes. Pussy-bow blouses, volume sleeves, and halterneck cummerbund tops will work for celebrities seeking to stand out during red carpet season, but may prove a harder sell at retail. Unless the brand plans to cross-sell these styles with their womenswear, but this would be a missed opportunity to truly enage with the way that gender is no longer dictating what can be worn, by whom, and when.
Black, a steadfast colour companion for a number of seasons, was worked up in leather, satin, lace, and fur. While seeking to avoid the trap of becoming repetitive, each new look added a layer of texture, embellishment, or sensual reference (the bedroom was catered to with contrast tipped pyjamas, and jersey under layers), and was only uplifted through an off-white section. But the dark palette showed an expertise that the design duo can boast about when it comes to employing one of their favoured achromatic colours.
THE BUZZWORDS
Sleek, dark romance, soft silhouettes
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Look #21
Unabashedly on-brand the layered leopard print worn head-to-toe leaves no questions left unanswered about what the design duo mean when they say sleek.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
The Dolce and Gabbana style codes were given a softer makeover this season, with looks that could be interchangeable with their womenswear offering, working seamlessly for their Men’s too. And due to the fact that the duo have maintained a firm grip on who exactly they are catering too, (and his confidence in his masculinity) the collection took on an almost retro feel, whether from the 1970s when men were also confident about their sexuality, or taking it back further to the Renaissance where an appreciation of lace and ruffled collars abounded.
There is an active encouragement of the exploration of what makes the man, in today’s society, and in their fall 2024 collection there was a call for him to be both hard and soft, romantic and reliable, without ever losing the essence of who they are.
