At a time when all the talk is of the action on the street outside becoming more important than what goes on the catwalk, the Sicilian duo took the logical step of bringing the street inside.
It was coconuts all round as Dolce & Gabbana unveiled a tropically-tinted collection for next spring and summer with a typically joyful show in Milan on Sunday.
At a time when all the talk is of the action on the street outside becoming more important than what goes on the catwalk, the Sicilian duo took the logical step of bringing the street inside.
As the assembled audience sipped from the coconuts handed out at the entrance, a troupe of boisterous youngsters invaded the stage and broke into a delirious mass boogie that mixed traditional Italian moves with breakdancing.
Of course the unchoreographed feel had been carefully choreographed -- the multi-shaped band of ruffians were dance students from Naples.
But the unexpected start to a show entitled "Tropico Italiano" had the desired effect.
By the time they had departed and the first model emerged, everybody in the room was smiling. Well maybe not Anna Wintour, but everyone else certainly.
The clothes themselves contained few surprises as the designers mined their familiar theme of southern Italian sensuality colliding head on with bling.
In one striking look, an oversized hoodie was worn on its own over sheer, knee-high stockings and under a tiara: grunge princess you could call it.
This season's version of the little black dress was worn by Hailey Baldwin, the increasingly high-profile model niece of actor Alec. A tweaked version came in the form of a bustier and pencil skirt linked by a sheer section across the midriff.
Overcoats sparkled with a rainbow of metallic colours, while platform sandals and chunky high heels were fitted with flashing green, blue, red and purple lights, a kind of powered-up version of a look that remains popular with toddlers.
The tropical theme was most apparent in some Carmen Miranda-style headwear and there were the usual humorous nods to the designers' Sicilian heritage.
Pyjamas in the style of a football strip came with Palermo printed on the back in case anyone did not recognise the pink and black colours of the team from the island's capital. A mini-dress that appeared to have been cut from a flour sack was emblazoned with PIZZA across the bust.
At the more discreet end of the spectrum, a plain white polo shirt was paired with a black wraparound mini that tied up asymmetrically, while a pinstripe two piece was comprised of a cropped jacket and pleated, Capri-length trousers.
The dancers returned for the show's riotous finale, pulling people from the crowd to join them in getting down before Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana emerged from backstage.
Over at Bottega Veneta, the Italian luxury house is celebrating its 50th anniversary.