The wood-cabin set and video images of snow-covered peaks were all the clues you needed, but if you had any doubt you were in for an après-ski extravaganza at D&G, the first look settled it: Natasha Poly came striding out, all legs in a red and white snowflake sweater bodysuit complete with rhinestone-covered goggles pushed up on her forehead and furry mukluks on her feet.
Theme cheerfully established, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana worked their way through all sorts of cheeky winter-vacationland motifs. In addition to those snowflake sweaters, there were all-in-ones, belted cardigans, and full-body ski suits in reindeer hand-knits. Charcoal gray cable sweaters, meanwhile, were cut into the duo's signature bustier dresses, and Dasher and Dancer pranced across sweet, floaty printed chiffon frocks or blouses layered under fitted vests. And there was a lot more fur where those boots came from—on cardigans, skirts, and even bloomer shorts. Who'd want to leave the lodge when you could lounge around in those all day?
Insiders will recall that the designers sent ski bunnies down their runway four years ago when the Winter Olympics were in Turin. That's practically ancient history in fashion time, and even if they do remember that the duo has visited this territory before, the line's young fans hardly care about that. What they want is fun, sexy fashion, and that's what Dolce and Gabbana are giving them by the sleigh-load this season.
