‘I’d say Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard,’ says Domenico Dolce, and then: ‘As an actress, Anna Magnani remains unparalleled’. His design partner Stefano Gabbana adds: ‘The Earth Trembles, with Ntoni’s worn clothes; Rocco and His Brothers; Bellissima with Magnani’s slip dresses; Ossessione and Massimo Girotti’s white tank tops. The actress: Sophia Loren… Her presence is magnetic and embodies the elegance and character that inspire much of our creative vision.’

We have been talking about favourite films and female leads in Neorealist cinema, the genre that Dolce & Gabbana has taken inspiration from since its creation by these two Italians in 1985. ‘Neorealism eliminates all artifice and focuses on true stories, on raw beauty,’ says Gabbana. ‘This approach resonates deeply with our vision… Neorealism taught us that simplicity can be powerful, that imperfection can be poetic and that true style comes from life itself.’

He warms to his theme: ‘For us, it’s not just a visual reference, it’s a philosophy. It inspires the way we construct our campaigns, the way we tell stories, and the emotional depth we seek to convey. Ultimately, it reminds us that fashion isn’t separate from life: it’s an expression of it.’

For Domenico Dolce, Neorealism has particularly influenced how the design duo seeks to represent women in their work. ‘It’s deeply inspiring because it captures strength and vulnerability in their most authentic form. These women aren’t idealised: they’re real, complex and resilient. They embody dignity in their everyday lives, facing challenges with courage and grace.’

The discussion is illuminating when we consider the new commercial Dolce & Gabbana has released for its latest iteration of its fragrance, The One. Featuring Madonna, it is shot by fashion photographer Mert Alaş, who, as one half of duo Mert & Marcus (with Marcus Piggott), has been responsible for shooting many editorial images featuring Madonna and several of the singer’s album covers.

The result is a consciously referential piece of cinematic film-making that perfectly expresses the particular brand of Italian spirit that sits at the heart of Dolce & Gabbana. The choice of heroine is significant. With her Italian heritage, Madonna embodies the role of Neorealist protagonist – all sensuality and emotion. ‘Our friendship with Madonna has lasted decades: we met her in the late 1980s,’ explains Gabbana. ‘She’s not just an icon; she’s a storyteller capable of transforming every image into a statement of identity and empowerment,’ adds Dolce. ‘For Dolce & Gabbana, being “The One” means being unique, bold and true to yourself. Madonna has lived this philosophy for decades.’

Madonna and Alberto Guerra for Dolce & Gabbana

And so here we see her, with Cuban actor Alberto Guerra, in scenes suggestive of classic Italian Neorealism, while on the soundtrack she accompanies the action. ‘Madonna performs an unreleased version of Patty Pravo’s La Bambola; she’s singing in Italian for the first time, exclusively for this project. The song, a symbol of freedom and emancipation, perfectly reinforces the campaign’s narrative message,’ explains Domenico Dolce.

The campaign accompanies the release of two new editions of The One, a family of fragrances first launched in 2006. The One Eau De Parfum Intense (£110) is created by nose Quentin Bisch, and The One For Men Parfum (£93), crafted by perfumer Jean-Christophe Hérault. Both take their cue from the seductiveness of original scents, but dial up the intensity. The parfum for women takes amber and floral as its theme, while the men’s looks to amber and spice.

dolcegabbana.com