Domenico Dolce (right in the picture) was born in 1958 in Sicily, Italy, to a tailor (his father) and a merchant of fabrics and apparel (his mother). He attended the Istituto Marangoni in Milan to study fashion and dreamed of working for Armani. But before graduating, the designer dropped out of school, confident he was fit to work in the industry.

Stefano Gabbana (left in the picture) was born in 1962 in Milan, to a printing fabric employee (his father) and a laundry company employee (his mother). He studied fashion design at the Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche in Rome.

In 1980, the two designers met each other through Giorgio Correggiari, Dolce's employer. In 1983, they left Correggiari to collaborate on their own. Two years later, the Dolce & Gabbana brand was born.

Their first fashion show took place in 1985, and their first collection was released in 1986. One year later, the first Dolce & Gabbana store opened in Milan.

In 1988, a partnership was established between the brand and Dolce's father, Saverio Dolce, who operated his textiles manufacturing company close to Milan.