Despite not having a live audience to show to, Dolce & Gabbana still impressed with its latest collection.
Presenting the rare and sublime world of handmade couture, the Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria collections, meaning high women's and high men's, included outfits that are as staggeringly beautiful as they are expensive. The pieces were light, breezy and infused with insouciance.
Normally shown in lavish spaces across the world, for this particular collection, the duo had to content themselves with a magnificent mansion in Milan.
They filmed the clothes on models who were spaced wider apart than usual. Social distancing rules also meant the absence of an audience, replaced by those bidding from home for the clothes on a strictly first-come, first-serve basis. The house has always maintained it will never make two of a design, meaning each piece is utterly unique.
Of course, couture shows are all about the clothes and, more specifically, the mood and atmosphere they create. Many years ago, the Italian duo realised that with the rich heritage of Italy at their disposal, they would never run out of inspiration, and this offering of Alta Moda (women's) and Alta Sartoria (men's) is just another iteration of that.
Filled with the tangy colours of Italian fruit, against rich reds and sky blues, the women's pieces were a delight to behold. Flowing and light, there was a green button-front kaftan covered in huge, blousy flowers, where each petal had been lovingly appliqued by hand.
The same flowers resurfaced as the hem of a pure white kimono, counter balancing the crisp, oversized sleeves. Meanwhile, a light-as-air polka dot chiffon dress was the perfect clash of citrus lemon and lime.
Like wonderful postcards, many dresses were decorated with sketches of coastal cities, and in a youthful twist, scarves normally tied at necks were instead made into entire dresses, and used to line the underside of huge, floppy hats.
Inspired by the term "bel paese", meaning beautiful country, the men's collection continued the trip around Italy, through Portofino, Capri, Amalfi, Venice and Como.
Male models wore elegant kaftans in gold, or lavished with beading normally found on a 1920s flapper dress, or covered in sequinned signs of the zodiac. Pinstripe suits – the bedrock of Dolce & Gabbana's tailoring – appeared crumpled and with sleeves pushed up – presumably, to better steer the yacht.
Embroideries covered necklines, lapels and snaked down the outside of trouser legs, and were worn with thin printed silk scarves, finished in glossy silk fringing.
The collections had all the rich, evocative hallmarks that we have come to expect from Dolce & Gabbana, even if they were presented in a new format.
Scores
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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