Entertaining, remarkable, with a clear curatorial edge, the exhibition presents an impressive tribute to the artistry of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, as well as their unwavering love for their homeland. An emotional Domenico Dolce expressed his gratitude and joy before the dinner, held beneath the frescoed ceiling of Sala delle Cariatidi, stating, “It’s impossible to express what I feel; tonight, I am so happy and grateful. When I arrived in Milan as a young fashion student from Sicily, I fell in love with the city and prayed to the Madonnina (the golden statue of the Madonna that overlooks the city from the Duomo’s spires) to keep me here and not send me back to Sicily! She listened to my prayer, and here I am, in this beautiful palazzo, surrounded by the women who have inspired our collections and by so many friends in this city, which I love dearly for all the opportunities it has given us. It brings me so much joy; it’s overwhelming. It’s huge, it’s too huge!”
Stefano Gabbana echoed Dolce’s sentiments, emphasizing the exhibition’s aim: “It’s about leaving a legacy to young generations, inspiring them to persevere in the pursuit of their dreams, as we did when we started our company. For us, this is a dream come true and proof that if you believe in what you do, you can make it too.”
The star-studded attendees showered the designers with praise for their exceptional body of work. Isabella Rossellini, a long-time muse and friend, delivered a witty and affectionate speech while dressed in a chic white brocade pajama and stylish flat slippers. “Dolce & Gabbana have been likened to one designer with two heads, a kind of ancient mythological creature,” she remarked. “Together, they’re formidable. They narrate the essence of Italianità, the Italian spirit—a blend of innocence, sophistication, and audacity. They do so with genuine artistry, blending the sacred with the profane, the melancholic with the joyful, the romantic with the sensual.”
Cher, exuding glamour in black ripped denims, a shaggy furry jacket, and a matching beret securing her long black locks, fondly recalled her enduring friendship with Stefano and Domenico: “I adore their creations because they fit me perfectly, and they are daring; they straddle history and the future, anticipating what’s to come; they still possess the emotion, the dedication. The exhibition is astounding; I never imagined they had such a vast body of work; it left me breathless. Their collections consistently surpass expectations; I still own all their bustiers, all their dresses, and I continue to wear them.”