If you follow fashion events and museum-worthy exhibitions, you may have heard about the Dolce & Gabbana art show in the heart of Milan.
Running from April 7 to July 31 at the Palazzo Reale, “From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana” is promoted by the Municipality of Milan – Culture and produced by Palazzo Reale in partnership with IMG. This immersive experience, curated by French fashion historian Florence Müller, delves into the core of the brand, exploring their creative process and the magic of handmade garments and jewelry.
Upon entering each room, visitors are surrounded by numerous references to Italian culture and traditions: art, music, theater, and architecture are highlighted thanks to the founders’ deep-rooted love for craftsmanship and passion for la dolce vita.
The exhibition unfolds through ten chapters, each featuring dedicated installations. The first chapter draws inspiration from the splendor of the Venetian Scuola Grande di San Rocco, home to Tintoretto’s finest works. A large gallery with a mirrored ceiling displays paintings by Anh Duong, a longtime muse of the designers, framing mannequins that illustrate a series of elaborate tailoring techniques.
Designed as a modern hall of mirrors, the next room celebrates historic Venetian glassworks such as Barbini and Barovier & Toso. Gowns and capes adorned with handmade glass floral appliqués, which sparkle like delicate jewels in the light of antique chandeliers, are showcased here.
Another room pays homage to Luchino Visconti’s famous film “Il Gattopardo,” chosen by the designers to represent the duality between the past and future of fashion. The ballroom of Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi in Palermo, where one of the film’s most iconic sequences was shot, has been meticulously recreated. It displays a magnificent gown inspired by the film.
Additionally, a replica of the maison’s tailor’s shop allows visitors to admire Haute Couture tailors at work. A Renaissance room, echoing the architecture of Palazzo Farnese in Rome, features famous paintings translated into meticulously embroidered gowns. From the baroque splendor of the garments from the 2022 fashion show to the Greek god-inspired collection accompanied by Ennio Morricone’s beautiful music, visitors find themselves wandering from one experience to another, walking a fine line between dream and reality.
I found this exhibition truly beautiful, particularly because of the emphasis Florence Müller and the founders placed on craftsmanship. Without the artisans who bring a designer’s vision to life—holding in their hands centuries of tradition and passion and translating it into garments—we would lose an important piece of our history.
