Review & Swatches: Dolce & Gabbana The Italian Summertime Collection

Part drama, and part soft-hued neutrals and nudes—The Italian Summertime Collection from Dolce & Gabbana brings several contrasting tones together, and makes it work!

“We were very much inspired by the ideas behind the Summer 11 runway,” says Stefano Gabbana, “We wanted to reflect the Sicilian culture with a fresh interpretation. We began by imagining a young bride’s hope chest, full of treasures from the past and the present that are the key to her future. To capture this moment of purity and deep passion, the moment when a woman’s future beckons was so challenging… yet, in the end, the collection evolved so naturally, it could work for any significant passage of a woman’s life.”

Who better to bring this challenging concept to fruition than the legendary Pat McGrath? Collaborating with Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, McGrath achieves Sicilian flavor with modern elements in this collection for summer 2011. Lipsticks in shimmering neutrals (Perla and Luna), the PERFECT nude (Mandorla), and a shocking red (Venere) start things off on the right track. These are extremely luxurious and creamy, and remind me of the formulas of lipsticks that 50′s screen sirens must have worn, both in texture and fragrance. These are extremely feminine in every way!

For the eyes, you’ll find the Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Vulcano to keep things warm and toasty. This combination of rich and deep purples with rustic nudes provides very strong color payoff.

To partner with the eyes, try out either of the gorgeous Crayon Intense Eyeliners in Bronzo (shimmering bronze) or Agave (rich shimmering grey-green). (As photographed with the Precision Lipliner in Caramello—which will look fab with the Venere lipstick!) One of the features I love about the Dolce & Gabbana pencils is that the Crayon Intense Eyeliners feature a smudger on the the end, and the Precision Lipliner has a lip brush for easy blending. They’re just those nice little added details for the perfect finishing touch with a little luxury.

For lipgloss, there are two Ultra-Shine Lipgloss shades; Acqua (a clear gloss with patent-leather shine), and Cannella (a very warm and shimmery bronze). I highly recommend pairing the clear Acqua over any of the shimmering lipstick shades—Perla or Luna for a super sexy transparent effect.

The Mascara, Volumized Lashes in Dahlia pairs up with the Vulcano eye quad well since there are plums—but I think it will really draw out the depth of color in green or hazel eyes!

Using the lightest shade in the Vulcano quad, the Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Agave, and Volumized Lashes in Dahlia:

For the face in Italian Summertime, Dolce & Gabbana offers up the Luminous Cheek Colour in Sole:

As intimidating as it might look in the pan, I assure you it’s not a scary color at all! Of course, as with any blush—application is key. But a light dusting of this on the apples of the cheeks adds a flirty glow to the face.

To complete the look—a feminine, modern bold purple—Intense Nail Lacquer in Passione.

“With Italian Summertime, we wanted to capture a major moment in a woman’s life, a moment of fantasy and dreams, which is so ineffable, so intimate, and, simultaneously, redefine Domenico’s and Stefano’s passion about everything Sicilian, an attitude that’s quite abstract yet very specific, very personal,” says Pat McGrath, “This involved two very different concepts, a complete duality – which is, of course, my favorite challenge. So it was quite a lot of fun, since the palette is so brilliant, so succinct, with the summery soft pale tones against the vivid highlights. The look was all about and emphasis on the eyes – dramatic and deep and sexy – against glowing luminous summer skin. Very simple, yet utterly sophisticated and sensual – extremely classic Dolce & Gabbana in the most modern sense.”

Do you think the vision was conveyed well with The Dolce & Gabbana Italian Summertime Collection? Let’s talk in the comments!

Prices & Availability; the Lipstick $30, the Lipgloss $29, the Lipliner $30, Smooth Eye Colour Quad $59, the Eyeliner $29, the Mascara $29, the Blush $44, the Nail Lacquer $20—Saks Fifth Avenue stores & saks.com