‘As Constantinople became the second capital of the Roman Empire, the location favoured the population with a myriad of diverse new items that include jewellery, perfumes, incense, and many fine goods. Constantinople was the most opulent of cities.’
The Dolce&Gabbana 2013-2014 collection took its inspiration from Constantinople and the heritage of the Eastern Roman Empire with its colours, designs and patterns. You can see all these aspirational elements in Byzantine churches in İstanbul with its rich iconography.
Let’s pay a tribute to this 2013-2014 collection of Dolce&Gabbana with its rich colours, patterns and designs that take us to a completely different world!
Here is a part of the interview taken from enotes.com carried out with D&G’s designers on how the Byzantine Empire and the city of Constantinoolis influenced its collection:
‘What Byzantine era influences are shown in the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2013 collection?
The Byzantine era witnessed the blend of the Eastern and the Western world as Constantine created in 324 the second capital of the Roman Empire in the territory that we know today as Istanbul, in the country of Turkey. The name of this capital city was Constantinople. The result of this geographical change granted the combination of Eastern and Western trends that created the unique style replicated in the wardrobe shown here. The influence of Eastern better yet, oriental trends, were very significant as it is evident in the art and archaeological findings depicting pictures of everyday life.
The oriental trends are particularly prolific in the use of silk in everyday fashion. As Constantinople became the second capital of the Roman Empire, the location favored the population with a myriad of diverse new items that include jewellery, perfumes, incense, and many fine goods. Constantinople was the most opulent of cities.’
It is a delight to watch this collection with its intricate mosaic details, religious iconography and gold embroidery which always remind me of elements of İstanbul’s ancient past!
