The Sacred Heart, saints, the Madonna, the rosary, or the cross have long been some of the most recurring elements in the fashion house’s collections, which have appropriated their iconography to depict the sacred, a central theme in this exquisite volume: ‘Sacred: Visions by Dolce&Gabbana’.
As penned by Monsignor Alberto Rocca in his introduction, ‘Sacred’ is a reminiscence of a beginning of perfect beauty and harmony, and many of the photographs, specially crafted for this book unfold to the reader as if they were visions.
Among the strongly sacred components, there is devotion, understood as pure and all-encompassing love that wants to give without asking for anything in return, one of the founding values of Dolce&Gabbana’s creative work. For Dolce&Gabbana, the concept of ‘devotion’ involves the very idea of work: behind every sketch, embroidery, and stitch, it’s as if something mystical is hidden.
The brand’s most iconic handbag is intentionally named “Devotion” as a reverent nod to this profound sentiment. Serving as a cornerstone, this ethos permeates numerous sartorial creations, accessories, and jewellery pieces, all infused with the rich tapestry of Sicilian popular culture intertwined with a deeply ingrained religiosity.
Dolce&Gabbana’s creations usher the reader into a captivating universe of fabrics, colours, shapes, and fragrances that transcend sensory boundaries, engaging in an artistic experience “in a never-ending exchange between the sacred and the profane, love and passion, instinct and devotion.”
This encounter with a higher reality, simultaneously enchanting and disquieting due to its enigmatic inscrutability, resonates today within Sicily’s folkloric traditions and the profound religious fervor of its inhabitants. Contained within these pages are images of processions, Easter rites, and Holy Monday festivities captured on the island by esteemed reportage luminaries such as Giuseppe Leone and Ferdinando Scianna. These visual narratives endure as the symbols of their sanctity, continuing to imbue Dolce&Gabbana’s apparel, accessories, and jewellery with a sense of reverence. Over the years, the brand has interpreted these symbols as a testament to their love and respect for the arts.
The Author
Monsignor Alberto Rocca holds the esteemed positions of curator at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, director of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Head of the Borromean Studies Department and Director of the Far East Studies Class of the Accademia Ambrosiana.
Printed in: Italy
Format: Hardcover
Category: Photography – Subjects & Themes – Fashion
Publisher: Rizzoli
Trim Size: 22,5 x 33,5 cm
Photos: 263 in colour and black and white
Pages: 320
Price: €150
Devotion, Passion, Tradition
The exclusive book curated by Monsignor Alberto Rocca, “Sacro: Visions by Dolce&Gabbana,” is now available.
