Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana love Christmas – something that will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the designers' love of sequins, opulence and family. They love the festive period so much so that this season, the pair have opened a Dolce & Gabbana Christmas market at Harrods.
This is obviously not your average festive market - traditional-looking stalls sell the brand's products, interwoven with Italian fruit, sweets and pasta. There's even a hook the handbag floating ducks game. Open from now until 28 December, this is just about the most Instagram-worthy shopping destination you'll find in London right now.
"Harrods offers a very classic English's atmosphere that we've always loved," Domenico Dolce told us. "At this time of year, everything becomes prettier and more magical, and Harrods, with its lights, its colours and its many decorations, allows us to become children again."
Shoppers also have the option of choosing to personalise their buys – either with powder compact customisation or with a bottle painting service, ideal for fragrance gifts. If you want to experience the brand's beauty products first-hand, then a Dolce & Gabbana make-up artist will offer personalised makeovers.
"London is the city of my heart," said Stefano Gabbana. "And if you love London, you can't not love Harrods it's the most famous shop in the world."
Here, the famed duo talk us through their guide to Christmas, from how they celebrate to their tree decorating tips.
Family and friends is the most important aspect of Christmas
Domenico Dolce: "Christmas is about love and sharing; it's an opportunity to show affection towards family and friends. I like everything about Christmas day - the tree, the nativity scene, the decorations, the table set.
We stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve
Stefano Gabbana: "I love everything about Christmas as well. Starting from the nativity, on to Christmas lunch and dinner with my family and Domenico… there's nothing better in this world. Consider that we stay up until midnight with both our families on the 24th and we wait for Santa Claus to bring presents to Domenico's nephews."
Personalised gifts make the best festive treats
SG: "Something unique made exceptionally for the one you love. I suggest a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sneakers that you'll find at the Italian Market at Harrods' fourth floor. You go there you choose the model, the patches, the handwriting… you can say I love you or marry me.
DD: "I'd suggest a pair of earrings with diamonds exclusively sold in our jewellery pop-up store at Harrods ground floor."
Maximalism is everything when it comes to Christmas tree decoration
DD: "Stefano enjoys decorating the tree a lot. The tree is a symbol; a symbol of care, attention, and love towards little things, the details, the everyday life. I decorate it with everything…baubles, lights, garlands, angels, puppets."
SG: "I agree with Domenico. I really enjoy decorating the Christmas tree; it's probably the thing I love the most. I find it such a joyful thing, something fun, and also symbolic. I collect decorations from around the world. My tree is always bigger and bigger because I love to buy baubles everywhere."
Domenico does the Christmas Day cooking
SG: "We spend Christmas Day together. We have lunch together with our families. Sometimes Domenico cooks for everyone - ravioli, panettone, cassata. The best of Italian food."
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