The spring 2021 Dolce & Gabbana menswear collection was definitely one of the highlights of the season.
The elements that defined the collection were inspired by the blues of the sea and paid homage to Italian design and to the wonderful and sunny atmosphere of a holiday spent in Sorrento.
The collection was presented in a live, physical runway, as the designers claimed that they did not like the idea of digital fashion presentations (and they are right). The event benefited the Fondazione Humanitas - a nonprofit medical research foundation.
The looks from the collection were sophisticated and refined and proposed a rather relaxed attitude towards clothing, but did not skip on the high elegance with which the Dolce & Gabbana fans are accustomed.
From print bathrobes and swim trunks to stylish double-breasted jackets, the collection consisted of over 100 looks (looks, not pieces!), which gave a sense of a wardrobe you would pick on a holiday and then wear all around the year. And that, in a way, is something many people dream of: to take home the things they loved on vacation and keep the spirit of the visited place present in their daily activities.
In terms of cuts and shapes, we could see everything from unstructured slim-fitting jackets and large pants to narrow, cigarette pants. The beauty of these clothes lies in the fact that they are tailored in a way that makes the wearer look good. For example, the gorgeous jackets place emphasis on the shoulders and the waist, thus enhancing the overall aspect of the wearer. The way in which the designers work their way through classic architectural tailoring is unique and remarkable.
What Dolce and Gabbana understand is that clothes are not a digital product - that they are, in their own words, about "human connection". This is why, probably, the insisted on showcasing during a live show. Clothing is a tactile and physical experience - it is not a product to be consumed digitally. In a way, clothing is like food: you can look at it on a screen all day long, but in the end, the fulfilled experience is the physical one. In the words of Domenico Dolce, "the fashion show cannot be substituted with something on a screen. You need the physical contact, the human connection. Because fashion begins with people." Stefano Gabbana added: "We did a 'virtual' Alta Moda show last month. But without an audience it was not the same thing. It lost its essence."
It is really noteworthy and impressive that Dolce & Gabbana is one of the few brands that manages to walk the fine line between trends and timelessness, between their values and the zeitgeist and always to offer amazing clothes. Their bold and sensual take on Italian sartorial codes is, once again, visible in the seductive spring 2021 menswear collection.
This collection, while it may be rather relaxed and filled with fluidity, is definitely one for the menswear hall of fame... in which Dolce & Gabbana fills out plenty of spots.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think of the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021 menswear collection? Do you like their approach to doing a physical runway show? Why? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
