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At the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023, Dolce & Gabbana was awarded The Craft and Italian Artisanship Award. The award is given to brands that promote Made in Italy and local artisanship globally with their collections. It recognises the brand’s dedication to preserving Italy’s heritage and culture through the use of traditional methods and the involvement of local artisans.
Other honourees at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards included Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, who received the Visionary Award; Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, who won The Education of Excellence Award; and Gucci, who won the Circular Economy Award for its regeneratively-grown cotton project.
Dolce & Gabbana’s ready-to-wear fashion punctuates red carpets and editorial spreads worldwide. From black lace dresses referencing Sicilian mourning costumes to lingerie-inspired shifts, they exude la dolce vita. But why did they win an award at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards? Let’s dive into more detail about the brand.
Decoding Dolce & Gabbana’s Success at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023
Minimalism and Glamour
In an ever-more frenetic world, minimalism can help us slow down. The practice involves stripping away all unnecessary excess, and you can see how that aligns with sustainability. The minimalist style of dressing emphasises clean lines and focuses on function over form. “If you aren’t going to use something and it doesn’t serve a purpose, don’t keep it”, is the mindset we’re talking about.
As a champion of traditional Italian craftsmanship and artisanship, Dolce & Gabbana is no stranger to minimalism. The label’s adherence to the principle of “Bello e ben fatto” (“beautiful and well-made”) is a core philosophy that extends to its entire range of products.
Collaborations with Local Craftspeople
To promote sustainable aesthetics, the brand focuses on collaborations with local artisans. These artisan micro-entrepreneurs have become essential players in the fashion industry and contribute to the development of local communities by creating jobs, promoting cultural exchange, and disseminating a more responsible model of luxury.
For this reason, fashion brands must embrace a co-design approach to value these artisans as equal partners. While this is often a challenge, some designers make it work. For example, during the closing weekend of Milan Fashion Week, several luxury fashion houses and prominent industry figures honoured local artisans in eco-conscious award categories.
One was Dolce & Gabbana, and this contributed to them winning the Craft and Italian Artisanship Award. The brand’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the country’s artisanal heritage and tradition harmonises seamlessly with its sustainability initiatives and “Made in Italy” ethos.
Sustainability
The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023 marked a crucial moment for the industry. It brought attention to the fact that sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity and will be an integral part of fashion’s future. This year, the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards focused on championing those creatives who are making an impact in building a fashion industry fit for the future.
Dolce & Gabbana received the Craft and Italian Artisanship award due to their commitment to preserving Italian heritage and tradition and its ongoing collaborations with local manufacturers. Moreover, its use of eco-conscious materials and support for ocean preservation initiatives further demonstrate the company’s dedication to sustainability.
Virtual Fashion
During Metaverse Fashion Week, Dolce & Gabbana blurred the lines between real and virtual fashion with their innovative show that featured avatars walking pixelated struts on a virtual runway. The collection showcased various silhouettes and shapes, from exaggerated shoulders to lingerie styling and modern super-heroine proportions.
It can be argued that virtual fashion is more sustainable than real fashion because it doesn’t directly require any material resources to make the clothes. In addition, the fact that Dolce & Gabbana have branched into virtual fashion shows that they are a forward-thinking brand, ever evolving and open to new ventures.
The Future
Dolce & Gabbana’s success at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023 is a worthy reminder that fashion isn’t just about beauty but also about our world. Their steadfast commitment to sustainability and preservation of Italian culture and traditions promises to shape the future of fashion in a more culturally enriched manner. Additionally, its focus on inclusivity reflects the growing movement within fashion to celebrate beauty in all forms.
