Final Cut By: Julie Stamos

     The 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana was a study in storytelling. The show opened with an androgynous suit, that consisted of exaggerated jodhpurs and a short fitted jacket, both heavily inspired by the types of clothing that South American cowboys were known to wear. Immediately following this masculine look was a cinch waist black lace dress, with a high slit and a fluttery hemline, evoking an image of a sultry flamenco dancer. 

     These two opening looks set the audience off on a trip through South American symbols, with a Sicilian touch. The designers’ use of lace and fringe only pushed this imagery more. Entire column dresses made out of chunky lace were neither excessively matronly, nor overly provocative. The fringe sewn onto hemlines, bust lines, and every other place imaginable shimmied and bounced as the models walked down the brightly lit runway. The muted palette that dominated most of the show allowed the sheen of the satins and the intricate cut of the dresses to take center stage. The designers ventured into some color, using bright floral patterns and the occasional animal print, as well as some denim. While these pieces were individually beautiful they didn’t fit in with the rest of the collection, disrupting the otherwise flawless procession Dolce and Gabbana had created. 

     The designers were at their best when they focused on their South American story. The expected, upswept hair and bold red lips, and the unexpected, flat riding boots and sheer ankle socks gave the audience something that was both classic and refreshing. (photos by: Marcio Madeira for Style.com)