Early Life
Stefano Gabbana was born in Milan, Italy, on November 14, 1962. His parents, Piera and Lino, were hardworking laborers from the Veneto region. Gabbana's interest in fashion sparked around the age of 15, particularly inspired by designers like Fiorucci. He pursued graphic design, graduating from the Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche in Rome.
Rise to Success
Gabbana's fashion journey began in 1980 when he met Domenico Dolce while working for Giorgio Correggiari. In 1983, they established their design consulting studio. Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A. (D&G) was founded in 1985, with their first women's collection debuting at Milan Fashion Week the same year. Their first store opened in Milan in 1987. The brand's success grew rapidly, with international recognition and celebrity endorsements, including Madonna. The duo's big break came in 1993 when Madonna chose them to design the costumes for her Girlie tour.
Key Business Strategies
Key business strategies included designing for celebrities, expanding the product line to include menswear, fragrances, accessories, and haute couture, and building a strong brand identity around Italian culture. Gabbana's role has been to judge the final appearance of each piece during fittings.
Philanthropy
Dolce & Gabbana has supported various philanthropic initiatives, including contributions to the Dynamo Camp 2016 charity event, creating a special doll for UNICEF, and launching the #Fattoincasa initiative during the COVID-19 lockdowns. They have also supported research at Humanitas University.
