Dolce & Gabbana Make A Case For Sicilian Patchwork

Weaving together the history of Italy would take a lifetime, but Dolce & Gabbana attempted it in one collection. On their SS21 runway the theme was clear: Patchwork is going to be big. The designers referenced their own backlog, noting their spring 1993 runway as part of their own inspiration. Both collections heavily plucked details from the ’70s, but today’s presentation felt refreshingly modern.

Inspired and dedicated to the city of Sicily, Dolce & Gabbana wanted to capture the spirit of Italian artistry with “fatto a mano,” or handmade craftsmanship. Within each patchwork look—and there were many in this 98-look collection— was a demi-couture approach of one-of-a-kind pieces that literally and figuratively thread together the past with the present. Fabrics from the brand’s archives were interwoven with freshly acquired textiles. The result was a mix of polka dots, floral brocades, denim, and more, cut together in a multitude of silhouettes for every fit and fancy. The chaotic richness was a whirlwind of details that span decades, but their hashtag #DGSicilianPatchwork brought it into 2020.

Click through to see every look from Dolce & Gabbana’s spring-summer 2021 runway show.