1993 Dolce & Gabbana Iconic Runway 'Birth of Venus' Collage Print High-Slit Hourglass Dress

ID: 1018252

Size: small

Condition: excellent

This extraordinary 1993 Spring/Summer Dolce & Gabbana dress is one of the Italian duo’s most recognizable creations — a true fusion of Renaissance beauty and 1990s sensuality. Dolce & Gabbana, founded in 1985 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, are celebrated for their unabashedly romantic, Sicilian-inspired aesthetic that blends history, sensuality, and drama. By the early 1990s, the designers had firmly established themselves as visionaries of Italian luxury — balancing old-world opulence with modern allure. Their Spring/Summer 1993 collection epitomized this ethos. Featured as Look 15 on the runway, this dress was modeled by supermodel Karen Mulder and later displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s “Botticelli Reimagined” exhibition, cementing its place among fashion’s great art-inspired masterpieces. The same design was famously worn by Lady Gaga in London in 2013 while promoting her album ARTPOP, making it not only a museum-worthy piece but also iconic in the world of pop culture. Vogue stated about this collection, “Botticelli paintings were collaged together and covered in pearls; Liberty-style florals were appliquéd with lace; hats dripped with feathers; and sari fabrics were used for suiting. Dolce & Gabbana’s happy potpourri of influences... had roots in Europe and touched on high art and rustic traditions.”   

Crafted from the softest mid-weight polished cotton, this dress features a collaged print of Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” — one of the most revered works of the Italian Renaissance. The imagery captures Venus’s ethereal beauty, cascading hair, and divine femininity, rendered in a patchwork-like montage that feels both painterly and avant-garde. The square neckline and scooped back add a subtle sensuality, while the nipped waist and hourglass silhouette beautifully contour the body, celebrating the female form without restriction. A thigh-high slit provides a daring balance to the otherwise classical imagery, lending movement and modernity. The polished cotton fabrication allows the dress to glide effortlessly over the figure, feeling structured yet comfortable. Perfect for red carpet events, art galas, or high-fashion editorial moments, it remains a testament to the enduring power of beauty, art, and Italian couture.

Measurements
Bust: 33-34 inches
Waist: 26-27 inches
Hips: up to 36 inches inches
Total Length: 52 inches