A Dolce & Gabbana show is now such a reliable proposition that you can practically close your eyes and predict what's next. This may not be such a great thing for an audience looking for a kick-start in the outlandish heat of Milan's summer (especially with the amphetamine pace of the show draining any remaining oxygen from the air), but Domenico and Stefano's giant global audience will undoubtedly be reassured to learn that the boys are sticking to their successful formula. So spring 2006 offered another day in the life of a Dolce man: the lethal mean-business tailoring (with jacket waists now so suppressed it's a wonder they don't rise up in rebellion); the embroidered denims slung oh-so-low, distressed to within an inch of their lives and worn with campy T-shirts (Pepsi and Portofino!); the selection of sexy workout clothes (a Fight Club motif dominated this season); and the closing tableau of eveningwear (this time completely in white).
All of the above was mounted on the pneumatically masculine silhouette that is the Dolce & Gabbana signature, so it was something of a surprise to hear a post-show Stefano say that the duo had the androgynous rakes of London's New Rock Wave on their minds when they were designing—in particular, Mr. Kate Moss's band Babyshambles. If Pete Doherty were truly to rock Dolce & Gabbana's world, then we might see some real thrills.
