Behind-the-scenes Access Granted: A Comprehensive Look at Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda Fashion Events
Diving into the Exclusive Realm of Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda
Since its debut at the picturesque Taormina, Sicily in 2012, Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda shows have reigned supreme as the most exclusive and visually enthralling fashion extravaganzas. In the last 13 years, the design powerhouse duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have transported the magical aura of this haute couture extravaganza to enchanting locales such as Milan, Cuomo, Agrigento in Sicily, Florence, Venice, Syracuse, Puglia, and even Paris.
Unlike conventional fashion weeks, attendees at Alta Moda shows strictly belong to the A-list circle, primarily consisting of dedicated haute couture patrons and a select few of the crème de la crème celebrities. It's truly a challenge to spot journalists or the regular horde of social media influencers at these exclusive events. In photographer Matt Lever's introduction to his lavish coffee table book, *La Dolce Vita: Inside the World of Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda Fashion Shows*, he describes the Alta Moda experience as "extraordinarily personal." The limited media presence at the early Alta Moda seasons served as a testament to the show's unparalleled exclusivity.
Matt Lever, a renowned lensman known for his backstage photography during fashion shows, likens the Alta Moda experience to a love letter expressing Italy through fashion, tradition, festivities, camaraderie, and the essence of la dolce vita. The event spans an entire weekend and features a jewelry show, formal dinners, firework displays, an Alta Moda or haute couture presentation, a men's wear show, Alta Sartoria, and a lavish, opulent closing party complete with live performances.
The first evening of the event typically sets the stage with a spectacular jewelry show, followed by a celebratory dinner and awe-inspiring fireworks. The grand Alta Moda presentation takes center stage on the second day. The weekend comes to a glorious close with a men's wear show, Alta Sartoria, and a grandiose, star-studded party complemented by sensational live performances. Matt Lever has been capturing Alta Moda shows since 2012, serving both as a witness and a visual chronicler of the most captivating haute couture weekend in fashion history.
Matt Lever describes the inaugural Alta Moda show as "almost like a salon from the early days of haute couture," reminiscing about the intimate, family-like atmosphere. He notes that unlike ready-to-wear fashion shows, Alta Moda provides guests and the behind-the-scenes team members more time to revel in the Dolce & Gabbana brand's world. "It's the only show happening, and everyone is solely there for the Alta Moda show," he states. This concentration on the Alta Moda event and the limited number of photographers present allow for a more leisurely pace, enabling Matt to compose thoughtful images and weave compelling stories.
Matt Lever's La Dolce Vita was designed to immerse readers in the heart of each Alta Moda weekend's fashion festivities. "I try to capture the feeling of the show rather than just document the outfits," he says, emphasizing the importance of telling a captivating story through each photo. He focuses on capturing the location's beauty when the shows are held in stunning locations, like Venice. "I think it's integral to the story the designers were telling with the show and how they wanted the clothes to be seen," he asserts.
The Venice show in 2021 inspired Matt Lever to delve deeper into the laborious work happening behind the scenes while still showcasing the serenity and grandeur of St. Mark's Square and Canale di San Marco. "I wanted to convey the hard work of the models and the intense focus of the designers," he explains. Matt Lever's favorite shots often highlight the beauty of the location rather than just the clothes. "I'm more interested in a beautiful shot than just recording an outfit," he admits.
One of Matt Lever's most memorable moments was capturing models lined up for the finale bow when a tumultuous storm and double rainbow engulfed the sky overhead. "It was a breathtaking moment," he recalls. "No one could have orchestrated something more spectacular." This moment and countless others are immortalized within the pages of his book, truly embodying the magic and exceptionality of Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda shows.
When asked about his most treasured Alta Moda memory, Matt Lever recounts a poignant moment when Domenico Dolce expressed the significant importance of Alta Moda to him. "It was a very special moment that reminded me of the importance of art in this industry," he says. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Lever's La Dolce Vita is pledged to the Larkin Street Youth Services, an organization that strives to provide shelter, healthcare, and educational resources to homeless youth in San Francisco, helping them break the cycle of homelessness.
- Domenico Dolce, one of the designers of Dolce & Gabbana, described the inaugural Alta Moda show as "almost like a salon from the early days of haute couture."
- Unlike ready-to-wear fashion shows, Alta Moda offers a more leisurely pace, enabling photographers like Matt Lever to compose thoughtful images and weave compelling stories.
- In his book, "La Dolce Vita: Inside the World of Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda Fashion Shows," Matt Lever captures the feelings of each Alta Moda weekend's fashion festivities, focusing on the location's beauty and the hard work of the models and designers.
- One of Matt Lever's most memorable moments was capturing models lined up for the finale bow during a storm, with a double rainbow in the sky, a moment he described as "breathtaking."
- A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Lever's "La Dolce Vita" is donated to the Larkin Street Youth Services, an organization that provides shelter, healthcare, and educational resources to homeless youth in San Francisco.
