Domenico Dolce (b. 1958) is from Palermo, Sicily, whilst Stefano Gabbana (b. 1962) comes from Milan. The pair first met in Milan in 1980, while working as assistants in an atelier. They started business together in 1982, and continued to do freelance designing for others.
In 1985, they made their name together when the organisers of the Milano Collezioni invited them to take part in a fashion show to launch "New Talents". Just one year later in 1986, they presented their first independent women's ready-to-wear show that won international acclaim. The brand soon expanded to knitwear, beachwear, lingerie and accessories, and also introduced menswear and a line of signature fragrances. The first boutique opened in 1989 in Tokyo, Japan. With subsequent openings in Milan and Hong Kong.In 2005 the duo ended their romantic relationship but continued their professional relationship as friends. They resumed their romantic relationship in 2008.[citation needed]In October 2006, they opened their first restaurant, Gold on Via Poerio in Milan with an entirely gold coloured interior. The 202-seat boite, just behind their Metropol show space, sports a first-floor gourmet restaurant, a ground-floor casual bistro and a small food shop that carries items from Gold's traditional Mediterranean menu.In 2008, the fragrance Light Blue Pour Homme received "Best Men's Fragrance" by the Acedemia del Profumo and the U.S. Fifi award.Dolce & Gabbana is a high-end fashion house started by the Italian designers Domenico Dolce, born near Palermo, Sicily, and Stefano Gabbana, born in Milan, Italy. Dolce & Gabbana are very popular for their designs in the Hollywood industry; they have designed clothes for Madonna, Gisele Bundchen, Monica Bellucci, Ayumi Hamasaki, Isabella Rossellini and Kylie Minogue, amongst others. The company is based near Milan (Legnano). The private life of Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce became public in 2005, when they officially announced their separation. The business has remained unchanged and both continue to design together.
Dolce and Gabbana official site .
