“Global recession is out…la dolce vita is in…” writes Adrian Clark of The Guardian newspaper, almost a decade ago, in January 1999. He is referring to the luxury and over-indulgence that exuded from Dolce & Gabbana’s A/W 2000 Menswear collection. Shown at the height of a financial crisis, Dolce & Gabbana demonstrated their passion for luxury and a need for fashion even when the chips (stocks) were down.

Ten years later here they are to do it again, this time through their diffusion line D&G. The A/W 2008 collection was a ‘Royal’ flush, with calve grazing kilts and cardigans hung delicately over the shoulders, mixes of tartan and metallic gold and even a hint of their previously successful ‘La Dolce Vita’ collection with little black dresses - just in time for the party season. Check out the D&G Black Silk Organza A-line dress on Coggles.com.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the founders and, still to this day, the only two shareholders of the Dolce&Gabbana Empire, which includes diffusion line D&G. Mr Dolce and Mr Gabbana, as they are referred to by their accountant, or “The Boys” as the fashion pack call them, have had an amazing career spanning over 20years.

Dolce&Gabbana is their high fashion ready-to-wear collection, which debuted in Milan in 1986 to critical acclaim. Since then “The Boys” have become renowned for designing clothes for the rich and famous, with Madonna, Kylie and Beyonce all hiring Dolce&Gabbana as chief designers for their world tours.

The brand has also expanded significantly since its humble beginnings, working in a small studio in Milan. They “started from zero” as Dolce once said. Today the brand is worth millions and includes knits, eyewear, jewellery, menswear, fragrance, accessories, a junior line, and the youthful, more casual D&G line all in the mix.

Maybe D&G can do for the ‘Little Black Dress’ what Dita Von Teese did for stripping, ehem!

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Gabicci Vintage prides itself on quality fabrics and recreates archive styles that give today’s club crowd a retro look and the generation who wore them first time round - a style to remember. The memorable Gabicci 'G' became an iconic symbol of the 70's – ask your Dad if you don’t believe me. However, before the label became synonymous with Del Boy (and your Dad) it was a thriving underground brand that took the ‘Northern Souls’ music scene by storm.

Today Manchester’s music scene still flies the flag for this fabulous retro brand with Oasis and The Courteeners proudly showing off their golden ‘G’s’. Heading into the 21st century Gabicci has transformed itself with the introduction of the ‘Black Label’ collection, showing some younger and more sophisticated designs.

Remaining true to the brand’s heritage, Gabicci has also recently created the highly anticipated ‘G’ collection. Taking inspiration from the styles of the late 70’s and 80’s, the ‘G’ collection allows retro lovers and stylish gaffers to step back in time. It’s vintage styles, but without the wear and tear.

And finally, to celebrate Gabicci’s 35th Anniversary, this year the brand has created a limited edition range, featuring exact replicas of some their most popular styles from years gone by. The collection is limited to only 150 pieces per style and stays true to the original designs of the 70’s wherever possible.

Coggles.com currently has all the collections in stock, so grab them while you can (just don’t tell your Dad).

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BLACK DICE

Black Dice Industries is the latest UK street wear watch brand to hit Coggles, and just in time for Christmas. Inhabiting the intersection of music, design and urban living, Black Dice products seamlessly blend fashion, technology and passion, producing the most cutting edge in watch design.

Launched in Summer 2006 at a celebrity filled party, Black Dice Industries was ushered into the world in order to bring a fresh urban twist to the watch market and since then the brand has generated quite a cult following.

The focus on innovative style, inspiration and ambition is key to every watch. And where details define, Black Dice certainly delivers. All models are fitted with the highest quality Miyota movements and are stainless steel cased with a water resistance of 50 meters. The selection we have chosen at Coggles includes models with quartz analogue and digital time displays, leather and stainless steel straps and varies in style from the more traditional and classic to the very modern and contemporary.

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Since its conception in 1996, the Full Circle brand has established both its mens and womenswear collections within global department stores and key British independents alike. Bridging the gap between designer and high street, it takes the lead from global trends and the demands of its key customers

Simple lines and clearly cut shapes form the basis of the design ethos, in order to create collections that, whilst simplistic retain a sense of individuality and imagination. Careful design thought paired with consistent evolution and analysis of the demands of the market enable Full Circle to deliver pieces that are cool and quirky to a customer who is confident in whatever he or she chooses to wear.

The menswear collection at Coggles.com distinctly represents what the brand is all about. The palette is autumnal in tone with key black pieces supplemented with plum, burgundy and maroon, alongside charcoal and heather grey. At Coggles we’ve bought into layered shirts and knits for the perfect smart casual combination. Or cheat with the Fensom Cardigan with integral V-neck knit available in grey and maroon. Wear it under the double-breasted Precious Black Coat for a military winter feel, or dress it down with the wet look Doofer Jacket.

BP