Monica Bellucci, the face of Dolce & Gabbana’s Classic Cream Lipstick, told me once in an interview: “The most beautiful roses I’ve ever received were from Domenico and Stefano. I don’t know how they found those roses—they looked like velvet. Nobody else [has ever sent] me roses like that.” The design duo obviously has serious connections, not only in fashion but in the flower world, as well. Behind the scenes at today’s show there were buckets brimming with rich red roses and ruffled carnations to lend some Spanish flair to soft chignons. (Anyone who views a carnation purely as filler clearly hasn’t received a bouquet from D&G, as these blossoms weren’t even in the same stratosphere as baby’s breath.)
Similar to the house’s most recent menswear collection, the cropped bolero jackets, braided detailing, and bedazzled denim were inspired by Spain’s rule over Sicily between 1516 and 1713. Despite the foreign influence, the women who sashayed down the runway en masse wearing bejeweled bloomers remained classically Dolce: “Feminine, soft, and pretty—how girls want to look,” noted Guido Palau. (Judging by the enthusiasm surrounding the hair snapshots on Instagram, I’d say both sexes are in agreement.) After misting strands with Redken Wind Blown 05 Dry Finishing Spray and making a strict center part, the pro pulled hair over the ears and back into an “easy” bun with a few bits sticking out. “It could look severe, but I’m doing it with my fingers to make it much softer,” he noted. The rich flora, gilded barrettes, and jewel-encrusted crowns were then used to ornament the rather simple knot. Palau even quipped that he pricked his finger upon securing a stem to a catwalker’s head. (Here’s hoping the mane master’s hands are insured.)
While I’ve grown tired of the flower crown after a festival-filled summer, this classic approach (reminiscent of Édouard Manet’s The Spanish Ballet) rekindled my love for a luxe bloom or two. Now, if only I had stumbled upon the number to the designers’ florist backstage…
