Stefano Gabbana
Stefano Gabbana | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 14, 1962 Milan, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, fashion designer |
| Known for | Co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana |
Stefano Gabbana (; born 14 November 1962) is an Italian entrepreneur and fashion designer, best known as the co-founder of the prestigious luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana.
Early life
Originating from Milan, Italy, Gabbana's family roots trace back to the Veneto region. His parents, Piera and Lino, were diligent workers who juggled several jobs to support the family. Around the age of 15, his fascination with fashion emerged, inspired by designers such as Fiorucci. He pursued studies in graphic design, ultimately graduating from the Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche located in Rome.
Career
Gabbana’s journey in fashion commenced in 1980 when he encountered Sicilian designer Domenico Dolce while employed by Giorgio Correggiari. Initially concentrating on sportswear, he honed his talents in sketching and garment construction, frequently seeking advice from Dolce. Correggiari, who passed away in 2012, played a pivotal role as a mentor, imparting crucial industry knowledge.
In 1983, Gabbana and Dolce established their own company, officially founding Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A. (D&G) two years later in 1985. Within their partnership, Dolce took charge of tailoring, whereas Gabbana managed fabric selection and oversaw final fittings. Prior to their official runway debut, they organized informal fashion shows in unconventional locations throughout Milan, utilizing friends as models to generate interest that ultimately led to their inclusion in Milano Collezioni.
Their first runway presentation occurred in October 1985 at Nuovi Talenti during Milano Collezioni. The debut collection followed in March 1986 with the "Real Women" show. By 1987, they inaugurated their first boutique in Milan. In 1988, the duo formed a collaboration with Dolce’s father’s manufacturing company near Milan.
The brand broadened its offerings to include lingerie and swimwear by 1989 and introduced menswear in 1990. Their international presence grew through fashion shows held in Tokyo and New York. November 1990 marked the opening of a New York showroom located in SoHo. The first fragrance under their label was launched in October 1992.
Dolce & Gabbana achieved global acclaim when Madonna chose their designs for her 1993 Girlie Show World Tour costumes. They have since worked with numerous celebrities including Monica Bellucci, Kylie Minogue, Angelina Jolie, and Isabella Rossellini. By 1995, D&G secured a licensing agreement to produce eyewear with Marcolin.
Their accessory lineup expanded to feature ties, belts, handbags, sunglasses, watches, and shoes. By 2003, D&G led Italian brand sales surpassing competitors such as Armani, Gucci, Prada, and Versace. In 2009, the company operated 113 retail stores alongside 21 outlet locations, employing approximately 3,500 staff members and generating annual revenues exceeding €1 billion.
In 2023, Dolce & Gabbana ventured into real estate development with residential projects based in Miami and Marbella and announced plans for a hotel in the Maldives. That June also saw a partnership with Havaianas unveiling a luxury sandal collection adorned with signature prints like zebra patterns and Sicilian motifs on velvet materials.
Personal life
Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce made their romantic relationship public in 1999. They resided in a villa located in Milan and possessed several residences along the French Riviera as well as in Portofino. Although their intimate partnership concluded in 2004, they have maintained their professional partnership at D&G.
As of April 2024, Forbes estimates Stefano Gabbana's fortune to be around US$2.1 billion.
Legal issues
In 2013, Dolce and Gabbana were found guilty of tax evasion and received a 20-month suspended sentence for not declaring millions of euros earned through their Luxembourg-based company, Gado. They contested the allegations and filed an appeal; by October 2014, the appellate court acquitted them of all charges.
IVF stance
In March 2015, Elton John advocated for a boycott of D&G after Dolce referred to children born via in vitro fertilization as "chemistry children and synthetic children." This sparked public disputes, with Gabbana calling John a "fascist" and encouraging a counter-boycott. Subsequently, Gabbana clarified his personal opinion on IVF, expressing support for gay couples and adoption while highlighting values of freedom and inclusivity.
Instagram controversy involving China
On 21 November 2018, Gabbana encountered criticism following racist comments about China posted on Instagram, including offensive language. The backlash resulted in the cancellation of the Shanghai D&G Great Show 2018. Dolce & Gabbana stated their account had been compromised and reiterated their respect for China and its culture. On 1 December, the brand withdrew its apology video from Weibo.
Advocacy and philanthropy
Gabbana is a vocal advocate for safeguarding Italian artisanal traditions, stressing the importance of increased acknowledgment and support for traditional craftsmen amidst global admiration for Italian craftsmanship.
In 2016, Dolce & Gabbana participated in Dynamo Camp’s charity event supporting children with chronic and terminal illnesses. They designed a special doll auctioned to raise funds and had previously created miniature versions of iconic designs for a UNICEF initiative.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Dolce & Gabbana launched the #Fattoincasa campaign—an online series of workshops encouraging creativity at home while raising money for COVID-19 research. The designers also made financial contributions to studies led by Professor Alberto Mantovani at Humanitas University, focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic innovations against coronavirus.
Later that year, proceeds from the Devotion bag campaign were allocated to support vaccine research at Humanitas University, underscoring the brand’s dedication to pandemic-related charitable efforts.
Honours
Dolce and Gabbana have been recognized multiple times for their influence on fashion and culture. They received the International Woolmark Prize in 1991, and in 1993, their fragrance Dolce & Gabbana Parfum was awarded Best Fragrance of the Year.
In 2009, Milan honored them with the Ambrogino Gold medal, which they planned to return in 2014 amid tax evasion allegations. That same year, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, they were celebrated by La Fondazione NY for their support of emerging Italian and American artists. Gabbana highlighted cinema’s impact on their work, stating, "We live with movies - our inspiration all the time is movies, and we make our collection like a movie."
Film and television
Gabbana appeared in the 2013 documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's, which explores the fashion world. He also had a brief role in Woody Allen's 2012 movie To Rome with Love and served as a presenter during the 2002 MTV Europe Music Awards. Furthermore, he was featured in Giuseppe Tornatore's 1995 film The Star Maker (L'Uomo delle stelle).