LA DOLCE VITA
While Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 1993 collection was the epitome of a 90’s inspired ‘Summer of Love,’ it was also a not-so-subtle nod to the women celebrated on canvas (and in some cases wood) by some of history’s most preeminent painters… Though the supermodels strutting down the runway appeared to have resurrected the likes of Talitha Getty and her jet set crowd, the design duo’s collection was also a rebirth of some of art’s most celebrated female muses. The quilt like textiles were a collage of printed images depicting Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera (Spring) and Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de' Benci and Portrait of an Unknown Woman. Gustav Klimt’s heroines Adele Bloch-Bauer I (The Lady in Gold) and Judith II (Salomé) were also featured in the show as their images adorned pendants worn around the necks of several of the cat-walkers.
Detail of Birth of Venus • Circa 1485 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
“Though some models were dressed like dandies and pirates, the prevailing aesthetic was “rich hippie.” Botticelli paintings were collaged together and covered in pearls; Liberty-style florals were appliquéd with lace; hats dripped with feathers; and sari fabrics were used for suiting.” wrote Laird Borrelli - Persson for Vogue… With artistic influences ranging from Early through High Renaissance to the Viennese Secession Movement, the collection begs the question, ‘What do these portraits have in common?’ Here we have the symbolism of love and beauty represented in Botticelli’s goddesses, the enigmatic strength behind the eyes of da Vinci’s female sitters, and the curious hands, representing the intelligence of Klimt’s muses… Perhaps the common thread in these femme fatales is their sexuality, modestly suggested in some paintings and quite blatant in others. How appropriate that they should all make cameos in Dolce & Gabbana’s ode to the intellectually and sexually liberated flower children of the 1960’s… • All runway images courtesy of Vogue
Birth of Venus • Circa 1485 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Bustier Top featuring Botticelli’s Birth of Venus • Spring / Summer 1993 Collection • Dolce & Gabbana
Detail of Birth of Venus • Circa 1485 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Blazer featuring Botticelli’s Birth of Venus • Spring / Summer 1993 Collection • Dolce & Gabbana
Blazer featuring Botticelli’s Birth of Venus • Spring / Summer 1993 Collection • Dolce & Gabbana
Detail of Birth of Venus • Circa 1485 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Primavera (Spring) • Circa 1480 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Detail of Primavera (Spring) • Circa 1480 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Detail of Primavera (Spring) • Circa 1480 • Sandro Botticelli • Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence
Portrait de femme • Circa 1490 • Leonardo da Vinci • Musée du Louvre, Paris
Ginevra de' Benci • Circa 1474 • Leonardo da Vinci • National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Detail of Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I • Circa 1907 • Gustav Klimt • Neue Galerie, New York City
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (The Lady in Gold) • Circa 1907 • Gustav Klimt • Neue Galerie, New York City
Detail of Judith II (Salomé) • Circa 1909 • Gustav Klimt • Ca' Pesaro, Venice
Dolce & Gabbana Ad Campaign • Spring / Summer 1993 Collection • Steven Meisel
Judith II (Salomé) • Circa 1909 • Gustav Klimt • Ca' Pesaro, Venice
