D & G Dolce & Gabbana history

The pair quickly began working together, and by 1982 decided to enter into business for themselves, setting up their own studio in Milan that year with an initial investment of the equivalent of just $1,000.

Started in 1985, the brand made a huge debut on the fashion scene and has not lost any steam.

Dolce and Gabbana now set to work on creating their first full collection, and in March 1986 solidified their reputation with the presentation of their "Real Women" show.

The company opened its first showroom in 1987, on Milan's Via Santa Cecilia.

In 1988, the company signed a distribution agreement with Onward Kashiyama, which opened the first Dolce & Gabbana franchise store in Tokyo the following year.

In 1989, Dolce and Gabbana expanded their collection, adding beachwear and the Intimo line of lingerie.

In January 1990, the company expanded again, launching its first Men's collection.

1991: The company launches a scarves collection, the first product to be made under license.

The first perfume line launched in 1992, the same year that Dolce & Gabbana introduced a men’s collection.

The brand achieved new fame when Dolce & Gabbana were chosen to create costumes for Madonna's 1993 world tour.

The immediate interest in the group's clothing following that tour led it to shift into high gear: in 1994, Dolce & Gabbana created a secondary line, D&G Dolce & Gabbana, designed for a broader, and younger, market.

1995: D&G is launched in the United States.

First launched in Europe, the D&G collection was introduced to the United States market in 1996.

By 1997, the company operated 13 boutiques, in addition to a growing number of franchised locations.

In 1999, the company bought up a 51 percent stake in Dolce Saveria, which, in addition to giving the company its own production component, brought Saveria's $58 million in revenues into the business.

In 2000, the company took over the manufacturing of many of its formerly licensed products, including ties, scarves, beachwear, and lingerie and underwear.

At the same time, the company launched its own collection of watches, D&G TIME. Another significant launch for the company came with the début of its line of children's clothing in 2001.

While remaining committed to its privately held status, in 2003 Dolce & Gabbana took the unusual step of publishing its first annual report--in part to highlight its impressive growth.

Not surprisingly, they have designed the uniforms and off-field attire for A.C. Milan men’s soccer since 2004, followed by signing on with other teams shortly thereafter.

Olympiceyewear.com was founded in 2006 in the state of Utah as a sunglasses wholesale company.

Stefano Gabbana was photographed with a friend Dell’Acqua in blackface at a ‘Disco Africa’ Halloween Party in 2013.

In January 2016, the company started a high-end fashion line aimed at True Fashionista Muslim women featuring a collection of hijabs and abayas printed with daisies, lemons and roses.

Chanel’s 2017 High Jewelry collection is a stunning example luxury brands blending their own aesthetic with modern style.

One of their most problematic and frankly racist moments was the breakdown of their major fashion show in Shanghai in 2018, but trust me, there’s more than you think.