Sheikha Dana Al-Khalifa of Bahrain lit up the runway as she joined the star-studded lineup of models at Dolce & Gabbana’s recent spring/summer 2019 show in Milan.
Sheikha Dana al-Khalifa
The lawyer and royal fashion reference represented the Middle East at the culturally diverse show, where she nailed her catwalk debut. Al-Khalifa, who founded the style blog ‘The Overdressed’ at the end of 2009, sashayed down the runway in an ankle-length red puff sleeved dress covered in poppies. More bursts of the fiery colour included the oversized flower pinned on her Lauren Bacall-style wavy hair and a bold red lipstick.
Al-Khalifa, who also established The Overdressed Pavilion, a fine jewellery pop up shop that circuits the GCC, was clearly excited to take part in the vibrant show that took place on the last day of Milan Fashion Week. She expressed this on her Instagram page (@theoverdressed) by writing: “Thank you @dolcegabbana for letting me experience something so grand, it was an absolute dream! Now back to reality I go.”
The entrepreneur and fashion designer, who fell in love with fashion while studying law in London, joined over 170 models with different ages, backgrounds and physiques to help the Italian fashion house celebrate family and inclusivity.
Monica Bellucci
Veteran Italian actresses and international models Monica Bellucci, Eva Herzigova, Carla Bruni, Isabella Rossellini and Helena Christensen opened the show, while 70-year-old beauty Maye Musk walked alongside the young rising model Tess McMillan.
Lady Kitty Spencer
Other noteworthy partakers in the epic show included Lady Kitty Spencer (Diana, Princess of Wales’s niece), Emma Weymouth, the first black viscountess in Britain, plus-size model/activist Ashley Graham, English supermodel Karen Elson and Brazilian bombshell Bruna Marquezine. Surprise appearances from pop star Austin Mahone, musician Jessica Jung and Thai actress Davika Hoorne also ensured the show, featuring different family members (even babies) and modern day couples, registered high on the glamour scale.
D&G Models
As Cardi B, dressed in top-to-toe animal print, looked on and Luciano Pavarotti sang, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showcased how they have rethought their greatest classics, including Madonna prints, floral and leopard motifs and Sicilian references. Plus, suits in golden brocade, statement separates, black body-hugging dresses, tiered dresses and bejewelled biker jackets with tuxedo tails stole the show.
The huge 151-piece collection also featured accessories in floral, Majolica and polka dot prints, hair accessories with spring flowers, jewelled sandals and trainers. When it came to fabrics, the duo went for winning sparkly organza, Venetian embroidery, raw jute fabrics, Baroque tailoring and lots of gorgeous lace.
