DOLCE&GABBANA IN MIAMI
David Allan Charette Visits ‘From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana’ Exhibition
- By Margaret Charette
- // Posted on
- //
Photo by David Allan Charette
FASHIONABLE INSPIRATION
Designers are often asked what inspires them. For our team, inspiration comes in many forms and from many places. Travel, art, architecture, music, and nature all inspire and influence Britto Charette interiors. But ask David Allan Charette, our founding principal and licensed interior designer, and he’ll tell you it also comes from one of his lifelong passions: fashion.
“I have always been drawn to fashion and how it tells a story of time, place, economy.”
Photo by David Allan Charette
Photo by David Allan Charette
A Project Runway aficionado, David has been following fashion news and hosting memorable Oscar fashion-watch parties since, well, forever. Need advice on what to wear? Or how to select the perfect material that will drape just so? He has the answers.
MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION
His affection for the craft of fashion runs deep. A devoted uncle, David taught his niece, now a fashion photographer, the significance of fashion in culture, art, and photography, instilling in her, as he has in students, a deep appreciation of the craft. He nurtured her interest in all things fashion, purchasing fashion magazines and books for her and spending hours sketching alongside her. And when his niece was only nine, David traveled from Beirut, where he was working for an A&E firm, to Paris with her. There he introduced her to the world of high fashion at Dolce&Gabbana, showing her the difference good fabric makes in design—how it folds and drapes on silhouettes and how the colors, weight, and tactile qualities of luxurious fabrics help designers tell, and sell, a story.
Photo by David Allan Charette
FASHION AND ARCHITECTURE: A Seamless Connection
While studying architecture, David discovered how it overlapped with fashion. In fact, he leaned on his training from art and fashion courses when he designed the headboard for our Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach Penthouse project: “I envisioned a sculptural headboard—and I was inspired by very feminine silhouettes, sculptures, and draping—specifically the Hellenistic marble sculptures like the Nike of Samothrace that emulated wet fabric on feminine forms. That was such a huge distinction from previous sculpting—wet fabric in the wind on feminine forms and carved in marble. I met with the clients and shared images with them that conveyed the idea and we were thrilled that our clients trusted us to proceed. Then I began sketching the design and worked with our industrial designer to 3D model and 3D print the headboard.”
Headboard designed by Britto Charette and crafted by Art Space NYC
EXHIBITION DETAILS
So when David heard about the arrival of the Dolce&Gabbana exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, he couldn’t get to the event fast enough. Located at 23 NE 41st Street, the museum will be home to the Dolce&Gabbana exhibition until June 14, 2026.
Fresh off its successful runs in Paris, Milan, and Rome, From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana is now wowing attendees in Miami. Curated by Florence Muller and produced by IMG, the immersive experience showcases over 300 exquisite pieces. Using a multisensory approach, the exhibit reflects on the creative process of founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana and delves into how their inspirations are transformed from heartfelt ideas into tangible, high-fashion pieces.
Photo by David Allan Charette
“I grew up Catholic and was an altar boy, so the garments at the exhibit reminded me of the pageantry and mysticism of the Mass.”
Photo by David Allan Charette
“The Greek-inspired exhibit gave me a mythical and anthropological window into pagan traditions. Buildings and sculpture in Ancient Greece were painted and highly polychromal.”
Photo by David Allan Charette
Photo by David Allan Charette
David found many nods to Peruvian art and design within the fabrics on display.
Photo by David Allan Charette
“Numerous pieces in the exhibition reminded me of trips to Machu Picchu and northern parts of Peru.”
He was also fascinated with parts of the collection that resembled Snowbaby dolls. One white ensemble in particular reminded him of his great-grandmother and her collection of the dolls.
Photo by David Allan Charette
“When I was young, I was fascinated as to why these small porcelains were so popular. There was a macabre noir quality to them.”
Photo by David Allan Charette
“I was most impressed by the industrial design on display, specifically the purses. These would likely be the most profitable and accessible to customers and collectors.”
Photo by David Allan Charette
Explore Iconic Handmade Pieces
For fashion enthusiasts, this exhibit offers a unique opportunity to explore Dolce&Gabbana’s iconic handmade creations. You’ll also gain insight into the brand’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and innovation and see why designers like David Allan Charette find their own inspiration in fashion and the Dolce and Gabbana brand.
Photo by David Allan Charette
Photo by David Allan Charette
HOW TO VISIT THE DOLCE&GABBANA EXHIBITION
Explore the intersection of art, innovation, Italian
craftsmanship, and fashion at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami until June 14th.
Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, and Sun from 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Thurs, Fri, Sat from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Location: 23 NE 41st Street, Miami FL 33137
Purchase tickets: https://miami.dolcegabbanaexhibition.com/
Photo by David Allan Charette
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