Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana (privately held) · Italy
Dolce & Gabbana is a privately held Italian luxury house founded in 1985 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana and known for a glamorous style rooted in Sicily. In 2026 it is led by Alfonso Dolce as chairman and chief executive, with former Gucci chief Stefano Cantino as co-CEO, while the company refinances its debt.
| Founded | 1985, Milan |
|---|---|
| Founders | Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana |
| Owner | Privately held (founders and Dolce family) |
| Headquarters | Milan, Italy |
| Chairman and CEO | Alfonso Dolce (chairman since January 2026) |
| Co-CEO | Stefano Cantino (since April 2026) |
| Website | dolcegabbana.com |
What is Dolce & Gabbana?
Dolce & Gabbana is a Milan-based fashion and beauty company covering women's and men's ready-to-wear, children's wear, accessories, couture and fragrance and cosmetics. It describes itself as having moved from a fashion brand to a lifestyle company.
History
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana set up a design studio in 1983 and presented their first collection under their joint name in 1985. Their style, built on Sicilian imagery, Italian cinema, black lace, animal prints and strong tailoring, made the brand one of the most recognisable Italian labels. The couture line Alta Moda was launched in 2012 and is shown at Italian landmarks and, since 2022, abroad. In 2018 a series of promotional videos for China drew widespread accusations of racism, leading to a cancelled Shanghai show and an apology from the founders.
Products and positioning
The brand sits at the top of the luxury market, with Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria and Alta Gioielleria at the peak of the offer. In 2022 the company created Dolce&Gabbana Beauty to run fragrance and cosmetics in house instead of through a licence, and beauty accounted for about 35 per cent of revenue in the 2024/25 financial year. Eyewear is produced under a licence with Luxottica running to 2029.
- Women's and men's ready-to-wear
- Alta Moda couture
- Dolce&Gabbana Beauty
- Children's wear
Ownership and leadership
The company is privately held by its founders and the Dolce family. Stefano Gabbana stepped down as chairman in December 2025, a change that became public in April 2026, and was reported to be exploring options for his stake of about 40 per cent. Alfonso Dolce, brother of Domenico Dolce, became chairman in January 2026 in addition to his role as chief executive, and Stefano Cantino was named co-CEO in April 2026. The company is negotiating with banks over the refinancing of around €450 million of debt.
Why it matters
Dolce & Gabbana is one of the last large Italian houses still owned by its founders. Its shift towards beauty and its debt refinancing make it a closely watched case for independent luxury brands facing a tougher market.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Dolce & Gabbana?
Dolce & Gabbana is privately owned by its founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana and the Dolce family. In 2026 Stefano Gabbana, who holds about 40 per cent, was reported to be exploring options for his stake after stepping down as chairman.
Where is Dolce & Gabbana from?
Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian brand based in Milan. Its designs draw heavily on Sicily, where Domenico Dolce was born, and on Italian cinema.