Fashion's fantastic open house

[Photo provided to China Daily]

The prices remain a secret, but couture pieces generally start from hundreds of thousands of yuan and the upper limits are sky-high. After the order is placed, the Alta Moda team travels around the world to tailor for their customers. It can take up to three months to finish an embroidered gown.

All the materials are sourced in Italy and hand-sewn by Italian artisans.

While the older generation comprises the majority of the clientele, there are also people in their 30s and 40s, and some ask for dresses for their children.

"When we talk about Alta Moda, you might think of old women and men. But it has changed. We now have a lot of young customers," Gabbana says.

Tight dresses and pajamas are the best-selling categories, as well as embroidered and hand-painted pieces.

Chinese clients are especially fond of the brand's artistic jewelry, and embroidered dresses and suits, says a client manager, who asks not to be identified.

Working together for more than 30 years, Dolce and Gabbana have made the brand one of the luxury industry's most prominent names.

They've remained an independent company, fending off numerous buy offers and maintaining every right to decide what's best for the brand, which Gabbana describes as their child.

"Our child is not for sale," he says.