Dolce&Gabbana's Palermo show sparks luxury and controversy

Dolce&Gabbana held its annual Alta Artigianalità event in Palermo from July 6 to 10, 2017, featuring runway shows at Palazzo Gangi, Monreale's Duomo, and Piazza Pretoria. The collection drew on Sicilian iconography, including baroque motifs, carts, cannoli, and saint effigies. Mayor Leoluca Orlando praised the event for showcasing Palermo's beauty and boosting tourism. However, critics on social media labeled it an elitist occupation of public spaces, echoing similar controversies from the previous year's show in Naples. The event attracted over 400 international guests, with guest names kept confidential. Domenico Dolce, born in Polizzi Generosa near Palermo, returned to his roots. The first show, Alta Gioielleria for women, took place at Palazzo Gangi, where Luchino Visconti filmed the ball scene for The Leopard in 1963. The men's collection at Monreale was inspired by the Unesco-listed cathedral's mosaics. The Piazza Pretoria show featured models in baroque attire around the Renaissance fountain. The event divided public opinion, with supporters seeing economic opportunity and detractors decrying exclusivity.