Lights, Camera, Paparazzi: Dolce & Gabbana Fall-Winter 2025 Menswear Collection

By Louise Daniel

Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Dolce & Gabbana has seamlessly intertwined itself with the glitz and glamour of celebrity culture. Renowned for dressing the stars, their Fall-Winter 2025 Menswear Collection delivered a spectacle only they could orchestrate. From the commanding opening scene—a wall of suited photographers embodying the relentless gaze of the paparazzi—to Leon Dame closing the runway with his signature swagger, every moment of the show was iconic.

Unveiled in tandem with their exhibit at the Grand Palais, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's vision for this season is steeped in the allure of a star-studded lifestyle. The collection, aptly titled "Paparazzi," draws its inspiration from those photographers who made their name capturing celebrities in both public and private moments—a phenomenon that gained worldwide recognition through Federico Fellini's 1960 masterpiece La Dolce Vita. While it leans into the brand's notorious reputation for embracing the paparazzi's lens, it also offers a poignant reflection on the human experience behind the fame, exploring the duality of celebrity life from dawn to dusk.

The runway unfolds like a cinematic narrative, transitioning seamlessly from the laid-back elegance of everyday attire to the dazzling sophistication of red-carpet moments. From start to finish, Dolce & Gabbana crafts a celebration of cinema and celebrity, setting the stage for another defining year in fashion. The collection showcased the breadth of a Dolce & Gabbana man, from his ability to exude effortless style in daytime wear to his sharp sophistication in evening attire.

The daytime looks radiated casual refinement, with soft lines and oversized silhouettes dominating the collection. Pleated trousers paired with leather and denim created a relaxed yet polished aesthetic. Layering, a hallmark of the brand's heritage, played with proportions to add visual intrigue and coherence to each ensemble. Cargo pants inspired by utility wear, classic tank tops, and caps brought approachable simplicity to otherwise elevated looks—each piece deliberately styled to showcase its pure character.

Fur-free outerwear stood out as a symbol of modern luxury, softened with denim accents to seamlessly blend functionality with style. These daytime ensembles encapsulated the idea of effortless charm—perfectly suited for the private, off-duty moments of a modern icon.

For eveningwear, Dolce & Gabbana celebrated their mastery of red-carpet glamour. Wide-lapel blazers with stand collars were paired with applied scarves, transforming the classic suit into an artistic statement. Each suit embodied timeless elegance through various expressions and facets, demonstrating the perfect blend of creativity and craftsmanship. Impeccable tailoring, a hallmark of the house, was exemplified by the wall of photographers clad in sharp suiting.

Accessories amplified the collection's cinematic allure. Brooches inspired by the 1940s added vintage charm, while radiant textures and luxurious fabrics brought depth to the carefully curated monochromatic palette of white, beige, brown, light grey, dark grey, and black. These looks embodied the essence of La Dolce Vita: timeless sophistication with a hint of drama.

The Paparazzi theme extended beyond the runway to the audience. Front-row guests, including James McAvoy, Haein Jung, Lucien Laviscount, Levi Dylan, and Rocco Ritchie, perfectly captured the collection's spirit. Each piece on the runway reflected the duality of the stars themselves: glamorous yet grounded, bold yet understated.

Dolce & Gabbana's Fall-Winter 2025 Menswear Collection is an evocative ode to cinema and the enduring allure of stardom. In an age dominated by the unrelenting gaze of the paparazzi, Dolce & Gabbana doesn't just play the part—they define the game. From the relaxed charm of daytime wear to the radiant elegance of evening looks, the collection tells a story of exquisite contrasts—the public and the private, the celebrated and the human.

By drawing inspiration from La Dolce Vita while weaving in their signature aesthetic codes, Dolce & Gabbana reaffirm their place as masters of both spectacle and substance. The brand continues to push boundaries, delivering collections as thought-provoking as they are glamorous—an enduring testament to their ability to balance innovation with tradition.