Let's be real: Dolce&Gabbana is not a luxury brand that's more than what it appears to be. And that's perfectly fine. Duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have successfully branded themselves as the go-to for flashy, hyper-embellished fashion that's a thorough celebration of life. Dolce&Gabbana doesn't take itself too seriously and it's exactly why it exists.
That irreverent spirit was especially apparent in the spring/summer 2022 collection, and perhaps pumped up to much-needed astronomical levels. It was a visual feast of the best of early noughties tropes—from boyband-era ripped jeans paired with oversized tailored (peppered to the high heavens with rhinestones) to underwear bands peaking above bottoms—that was anything but conventionally stylish. There was a constant teetering on the fine line between tacky and tasteful, which differentiated the collection from the rest that we've seen this season thus far.
A dose of kitsch is always welcomed.
Look and feel: The Dolce&Gabbana spring/summer 2022 collection started off with its more polished curations. Jet black coordinates intentionally decorated with rhinestones that were meticulously arranged in patterns embodying a joyous spirit of light and reflection. It then transitioned into a raucous assortment of outfits that relied heavily on Mardi Gras-esque chains for added effect (not as though there weren't enough embellishments to begin with).
But the most interesting portion of the collection were the pieces that relied less on all the pomp and circumstance. We rarely do see Dolce&Gabbana experiment with deconstruction, especially in the way that it was presented this time. There was a play with mismatched fabrications and unconventional constructions. And while they were not all masterfully done, we appreciated the process and hopefully, a sign that such techniques will come to the fore even more.
Favourite looks: If we had to pick an embellished look, it would be look 5. A denim jacket elaborately decorated with multi-coloured stones paired with slim-cut trousers and equally embellished sneakers, but all grounded with a black base colour would make for an easy fit to incorporate. Imagine that same jacket transitioning to other minimal pairings—we love a statement piece that gets more than just one wear.
Of the more technical creations, we're leaning towards look 30 and its brilliantly patchworked idea. A pinstripe double-breasted blazer slashed right at the sleeves and remixed with rainbow-gradient quilted substitutes (gathered at the shoulder such that each sleeve puffed up for extra dramatic flair) that included a ribbed hem. The front was also matched with a contrasting stripe for good measure. A bit of a mess but one that worked well visually.
More Milan Fashion Week Men's SS22 reviews:
Day One: Ermenegildo Zegna XXX SS22
Day Two: Fendi SS22
Day Three: Prada SS22
Day Four: Giorgio Armani SS22
