Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are united by familial love and Dame Vivienne Westwood marks Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee with a capsule collection of gowns.
The legendary design pair were previously lovers, but although their romantic relationship ended in 2005, continue to work with each other and say they now perceive each other in a different way.
Speaking at the Vogue Festival, Stefano said, ”We are in love in a different kind of way.
”He is my family. To see two men who aren’t in love any more but who continue to make things – that’s beautiful.”
He also explained that the designers both count familial love as a muse.
He added, ”Family is a universal sense. The family is a good point to feel love.”
Domenico also revealed the pair like to set the mood for designing sessions by selecting the right music, before they even sit down and start drawing.
He said, ”It’s like a movie. [For each season each] we’re like ‘which movie should we go to?”
The design duo – who presented their first women’s collection in 1985 – previously revealed they hire young people because the ”ignorance of youth” is helpful when they are creating new designs.
Stefano said, ”We have been young, and we are mature men now, but we remember, we know what it means not to have support. So we appreciate, help and enhance young people. We have young assistants in their 20s, we toss them in the midst and they help show a different point of view. It’s the ingenuity or ignorance of youth that should be heeded in every field because it helps you see things in a different light. We always ask young people for their opinion. It’s very important.”
The fashion designer’s latest offering, the Red Carpet Capsule Collection, has been inspired by gowns the monarch – who is celebrating her 60th year on the throne this year – has previously worn.
Vivienne – who met the queen in 1992 when she was honored with an OBE – has also paid homage to the iconic British flag, the Union Jack, in her latest creations.
But instead of using the traditional blue, white and red color scheme of the iconic symbol, the designer has opted for a gold, silver and bronze style for her collection, which features corseted gowns created with silk satins, organza crepe and taffeta, as well as draped cocktail dresses.
Vivienne’s latest pieces, which also include jeweled earrings, will be available from the end of May 2012.
She explained, ”My clothes allow you to project your personality, and are quite theatrical in the sense that they are real clothes, well-designed, and they give you a chance to express yourself.
”They are also inviting people to respond to them and want to come and talk to you. You have a much more interesting life if you wear impressive clothes.”
