As part of Dolce & Gabbana's commitment to supporting rising talent, in recent seasons the brand has offered rising designers a place on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week. Previously they have collaborated with Matti Bovan, Tomo Koizumi and Caroline Vitto, and for autumn/winter 2024 they have teamed up with multicultural London designer Febben.

Feben's work celebrates the female form through a rich exploration of textures including draping, beading and sewing, and her backgrounds are as diverse as her designs. Born in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feben was brought up in Sweden by her mother, who was Ethiopian, before starting school in London at the age of 18. She is also known for combining bold colours with impeccable craftsmanship - signatures she developed further through Dolce & Gabbana's talent incubator. This is an incredible opportunity to develop my practice and showcase my collection on such a large scale. Working with the Dolce & Gabbana team has given me the freedom to explore new ideas, and I'm grateful for the support of my London team here," she said at the preview of the collection.

Speed draws inspiration from the famous 2009 Harper's Bazaar photo of Naomi Campbell wearing a Dolce & Gabbana cheetah print bodysuit, running alongside a cheetah, by Jean-Paul Good. Feben also draws on the work of German artist Isa Genzken, known for her ability to turn the ordinary into compelling sculptures, and the fast-paced lifestyle of London. "The collection aims to unite the worlds of Feben and Dolce & Gabbana through a sexy and surreal lens, turning the ordinary into aesthetically pleasing elements," she explains.



The show took place on a sunny morning at Dolce & Gabbana's headquarters on Via Broggi in Milan and featured a smorgasbord of Feben hits: the bobble technique, a hallmark of the brand since its inception in 2020, was presented in a seductive and striking gold lamé dress with architectural shoulders. Animal prints, a long-standing signature of Dolce & Gabbana, were abstracted and digitally printed on sensual jersey and long-sleeved dresses layered with pencil skirts.Down-coat dresses (with matching gloves!), cropped jackets and exquisitely tailored blazers gave the collection an unconventional elegance.



Other notable items: a multi-colored backless mini dress with a beaded skirt crafted by Accra artisans worn by Vogue beauty editor Tish Weinstock, a double-breasted suit in bright azure blue, a twist-print bodysuit paired with beading, a deep V-neck gown worn by supermodel Ashley Graham to close the show.



Even before graduating from Central Saint Martins in London, Feben had already caught the attention of Beyoncé (who features her creations in the "Brown Skin Girl" music video), Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe and Michaela Coel. But despite her rapid rise, Feben remains modest about her work. "It's amazing that a major label is taking a chance on my relatively unknown label. As a black designer, to have that platform for visibility is a significant milestone," she reflects. Something tells us that after this spectacular show, all eyes will be on Phebon.


Ashley Graham closes Feben's 'sexy and surreal' AW24 show, supported by Dolce & Gabbana



Ashley Graham closes Feben's 'sexy and surreal' AW24 show, supported by Dolce & Gabbana





Ashley Graham closes Feben's 'sexy and surreal' AW24 show, supported by Dolce & Gabbana