D&G Dolce Gabbana

Dolce (pronounced Dolche) was born in 1958, near 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 organizers 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 woman'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.