“Paparazzi”, our lives between reality and media
Day Two of Milan Fashion Week 2025 showcased one of the most anticipated collections of the season: Dolce & Gabbana FW25. A brand synonymous with elegance, innovation, and the passion for Italian craftsmanship, Dolce & Gabbana returned to its roots with a collection that fully reflects the essence that made it famous worldwide.
In recent years, Dolce & Gabbana has carefully worked on building a clearer and more direct stylistic language that speaks to fashion enthusiasts and attracts young followers of the brand. Their style has become globally recognizable for its ability to blend tradition and modernity, while never losing sight of the authenticity and value of “Made in Italy,” which has always defined the brand.
Dolce & Gabbana’s style has always been free from unnecessary embellishments and artifices. The essential, in fact, is one of the hardest things to achieve in the fashion world. Simplifying often risks losing the communicative power that makes every creation unique.
“Paparazzi”
The brand has, however, managed to find the perfect balance. Each “Paparazzi” collection is a synthesis of stylistic elements that blend with disarming naturalness, revealing its true essence. In this mix of shapes, colors, and fabrics, Dolce & Gabbana tells a story that resonates directly with the heart, in a clear and unambiguous way. Their mission, solidified over time, is to bring the great Italian tailoring tradition to the global stage, making it live and breathe in every corner of the planet with a style that knows no boundaries.
One aspect that makes Dolce & Gabbana one of the most influential fashion houses is its ability to stay true to itself while adapting to societal and fashion changes.
Each collection, in fact, reaffirms its original vision—a stylistic language that has evolved without ever betraying its essence. In this FW25 edition, the brand didn’t simply offer a new line of clothes; it revisited the style codes that made it successful, celebrating Italian craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
The FW25 Collection by Dolce & Gabbana
Staying true to one’s beliefs is never easy, especially in a world that imposes new trials and reflections daily. Contemporary fashion has much to learn from the creative process of Dolce & Gabbana. The brand remains faithful to its values while evolving and adapting to changes in the global landscape. The FW25 collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week, is more than a style showcase; it’s a reflection on today’s society and the relationship between the public and privacy.
Central theme of this season is a tribute to the “paparazzi.” This iconic figure, born in Italy, was immortalized in Federico Fellini’s 1960 film La Dolce Vita. The film captured the essence of a society obsessed with sensationalism and exposure. In Dolce & Gabbana’s vision, paparazzi are not just photographers of celebrities. They also symbolize the desire to capture authentic moments and the continuous invasion of privacy. In this visual narrative, the brand questions our desire to expose ourselves, even at the cost of sacrificing our intimacy.
The collection explores the idea of exposure, a concept now daily, thanks to social media, where we all play roles in our public lives. Dolce & Gabbana does not just celebrate the glamorous side of the paparazzo. It delves into its ambiguity, reflecting on the contradiction between the desire to expose oneself and the desire to hide. Exposure is, after all, a conscious choice, but not always without consequences.
Autumn-Winter 2025 Looks
The men’s look that walked the MFW runway is elegant and sophisticated, with modernity and refinement. Long fur coats, either leopard-print or monochromatic, symbolize Italian tailoring mastery. The oversized high-jewelry pins are symbols of a style that blends elegance with boldness. Among the most iconic accessories are the “coppola” hats made in Italy, travel bags, and belts. They evoke the spirit of tradition. Wide trousers, cargo pants, and high-quality knit cardigans are perfect for a man who navigates between business and everyday life, with a touch of class that avoids the banal.
The dominant colors are black, the brand’s signature, and gray, which adds sophistication and sensuality to the contemporary man. The mix of gray and black repeats in numerous total looks, creating a sharp contrast with green accents. At the end, the inevitable white appears, symbolizing purity and perfection in formal wear.
The Conflict Between Exposure and Remaining Hidden
The collection is divided into two distinct worlds: on one side, the man living his daily life or work routine; on the other, the man who transforms for an event, an exclusive party, or a major media event. It reflects the fine line we cross each day between our real life and the one we choose to share publicly.
The climax of the fashion show occurred when the models, stepping onto the runway, were “captured” by the paparazzi. This reversed the roles for the first time: the photographers became the protagonists. This stylistic choice played with the metaphor of the perfect photo, the one that goes viral on social media. It’s a snapshot that captures the essence of a moment. The runway transformed into a large red carpet, symbolizing the world of red carpets and the transparency of our lives, now visible to all.
The Curtain Falls: Real Life Beyond the Stage
Curtain falls, the lights go out, and the game ends. It is then that we return to our real life, the one that doesn’t need filters and is not subject to public judgment. This is where the true power of Dolce & Gabbana’s message is reflected. It invites us to become aware of what we are willing to show and how we want to be seen.
Fellini, in his film La Dolce Vita, introduced the figure of the paparazzo as a powerful metaphor for the society of the time and its obsession with sensationalism. The character of Paparazzo represents the intersection of privacy invasion and the search for the perfect image. Just like in the film, today we are constantly confronted with the “red line” between what we want to show and what we prefer to keep hidden. This dichotomy has become an integral part of our daily existence.
The FW25 collection by Dolce & Gabbana invites us to reflect on this boundary. In today’s image-driven society, we are all both protagonists and spectators.
