June 25: Usually when the audience erupts into applause in the middle of a fashion show, all eyes are locked on a piece of fabric that has been transformed into a rapture-inducing ensemble. But that was not the case Sunday at the Dolce & Gabbana men’s show, when half the audience jumped to their feet midway through the collection to clap for belting soul singer Jocelyn Brown, who was parked center stage beside a Miami Beach cocktail station. Flanked by two African back-up beauties donning turbans, leopard mini dresses and enough sparkle for a diamond mine, the enormous diva ignored the self-possessed models who strutted by her and instead screamed to her audience, “Get on your feet!” jolting buyers and press out of their heat-induced stupors.
Amped-up, campy shows are the signature handiwork of this Italian design duo, but the live performance –- which somehow allowed eyes to wander away from the micro-clad Eva and Naomi on the runway -- was truly an over-the-top affair.

Apart from the brief women’s segment -- bikinis the size of two walnuts, tank suits no wider than dental floss -- this was a season of highly toned down, wearable men’s clothes. By passing on another journey to the moon, Dolce & Gabbana kept their guys ensconced in the protective walls of their native Sicily where they lounged, strutted, flirted and looked their sex-oozing best. Sicilian beach combers in wrecked jean and gauzy linen V-neck shirts wandered around in designer leather sandals, while more straight-laced trendy guys had colorful floral printed shirts and Bermuda shorts. One bulging, tattooed model embodied the mantra “No Fear,” while squeezing into a pink floral Speedo and pink trainers –- an Italian trend which has slim chances of catching on stateside.
Although the show opened with a red, number 7 jersey T-shirt which blazed “DAVID” across the front (a collector’s item for mourning Manchester United fans of their favorite Beckham), the real spotlight was on cocky, slick playboys -- the duo’s favorite hero.
These guys prowled and wooed in sharp white or powder blue suits and looked incredibly sleek (and realistic) in pale sky washed jeans with impeccably tailored jackets and plunging slim shirts. Somehow these guys always manage to get away with wearing obnoxious hardware -- rhinestone crosses big enough to make the Pope blush -- without looking like jerks.
The partners in design must have a knack for the glitz and the glam in more than just their clothes. Not only did they stage their own fashion show concert, they walked off stage together with Brown howling, “Keep on jumping!” Bureau Report