I find the brilliance of Dolce & Gabbana lies in their unforced approach to fashion. They never seem to feign when it comes to exploring new concepts and resources to fuel their creativity.
To truly assess the spirit of a fashion brand and its distinctive codes, one must combine historical methods with observations of the brand's development and practical operations. We cannot judge a designer solely based on personal aesthetic preferences, as everyone's sense of beauty is inherently different. This is an obvious fact. What we can do, and what any fashion critic or journalist can do, is compare and contrast, looking at the brand's history in relation to what it has become today. If a brand no longer succeeds, and its designs no longer resonate as they once did, then we might temporarily assume it has lost its relevance.
DG has experienced many ups and downs. Their story began in the late 80s, they were on the rise in the 90s, and reached their peak in the 2000s. Each period left a significant mark on the public, and when looking back, it’s hard to believe these eras belong to the same brand. I think this is an evolution, a breakthrough for them personally, and they deserve recognition for these efforts.
Fashion is not art and never will be. Fashion is clothes, bags, accessories – they are not created just to be admired. Fashion serves the purpose of each individual, enhancing the beauty of the wearer. Designers do not create fashion just for lifeless mannequins. Art also brings beauty, but it is a beauty that exists for its own sake, inherent in the artwork itself, not for others. What is fashion for if not to be worn/purchased ?