We are in Sicily. We are in a land once again chosen by an important Italian fashion brand. Last year, the designers "Dolce and Gabbana" decided to set once again their advertising campaign on the island. Once again yes, because Sicily is often at the center of their collections, thanks to the warmth, colors, and flavors that characterize it. And for the spring summer advertising campaign the municipality of Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse.
Together with Milan, present with the other shots of the photographer Branislav Simoncik. Why Palazzolo Acreide? Because the two famous stylists have chosen a photographer from Palazzolo, Salvo Alibrio. Thus was born the meeting between D & G and Alibrio and the desire to set the countryside in the South East of the island. To find out more, we met Salvo Alibrio, who at the age of 31 is already making a name for himself with his work. Always maintaining the serenity and simplicity that characterize his way of being.
Dolce & Gabbana, the history and traditions of Sicily
Filming for the advertising campaign took place last July, as the Palazzolese photographer tells us. After a meeting with the two stylists, Alibrio, he carried out some inspections in the most characteristic places of Palazzolo. Places chosen by him, also because, as he told us, he has maintained that common thread, which often characterizes his photographs. Alibrio, in fact, also makes shots of traditional Sicilian festivals. From those that belong to Palazzolo, and dedicated to the saints, to those that date back to the folklore and mystery of other Sicilian cities. Like the "Jews" of San Fratello, who arrived for the occasion in Palazzolo and immortalized in the men's collection.
"This is why a typical religious festival of Palazzolo has been included - says Alibrio - with the shots taken by staging the procession of the saint, with the bearers of the statue and the models". And then again the photos in front of the church of the Annunziata, with the nuns from behind, then in front of the church of the Madonna delle Grazie, with the characteristic flock of sheep. Not entirely unusual scene in these areas. And again the shots taken in the Lenza district, or near the balcony of Palazzo Caruso.
Among the protagonists of the shots for Dolce & Gabbana also many Palazzolesi
The particularity of this advertising campaign is then the choice of the protagonists. Many remember how heavily armored the set was in those days of July last year. But to be immortalized in those photos, which are going around the world, there are also many Palazzolesi. Young and old, the elderly who play in clubs, women who say the rosary. The barber. The children.
“And precisely for the children's collection - adds Alibrio - a casting was made with the production in Palazzolo. And among the little ones chosen to make the models there are some very young people from Palazzolo ". Each context was chosen according to the clothes and the result is surprising. “From the beginning - adds the photographer - people, friends, my family have supported me. I saw the country enthusiastic about this experience ”. And surely these photos will be important to make the Hyblean municipality even more known.
Modernity and tradition in D&G and Alibrio
Milano and Sicily, therefore, color and black and white, modernity and tradition. To underline this is the fashion house in a note explaining the new collections. Opposites meet in the SS 2020 Women's and Men's Campaign set in the two key places of Dolce & Gabbana which, with their atmospheres and their different scenarios, form the backdrop to the shots. The island of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's main source of inspiration is next to the city where it all began. Immortalized by Salvo Alibrio, the ADV campaign set in Sicily, in Palazzolo Acreide, is made in black and white, evoking the atmosphere, symbols and traditions of the island.
Enhanced by the depth of the shots and the two-tone saturation, the Dolce & Gabbana DNA emerges from the campaign shots with all the history, values and suggestions to which it refers. Scenarios of everyday life are placed side by side with traditional moments of village conviviality, becoming an evocative background for the clothes in the collection. And among the super models portrayed by Alibrio there are Bianca Balti, Isabeli Bergossi Fontana e Jessica Stan.
Who is Salvo Alibrio
The young photographer chosen by Dolce & Gabbana began to have a passion for photography at the age of nine. After his studies at the Art High School, he continued his self-taught training. He has participated in several photographic competitions and in 2012 he obtained an award from National Geographic Italy. Winning the competition allowed him to attend a reportage master's degree at John Kaverdash's photography academy. He has obtained other awards and published several photo shoots in magazines such as Le Figaro magazine. He also realized international precisely with his shots taken during religious holidays. And we're sure this is just the beginning. Determined to stay and work on his land, Alibrio is demonstrating with determination how to cultivate a passion and make it a rewarding job.
