The Truth About Dolce & Gabbana

In 2015, Dolce & Gabbana's winter womenswear collection paid tribute to motherhood, and its unveiling fashion show featured mothers walking with their own children (via Vogue). Unfortunately, however, it was also around this same time that the designers made some truly insensitive and upsetting remarks about in vitro fertilization (IVF). They called children born via this process "synthetic," and said that IVF pregnancies are "chemical offsprings and rented uterus." If that weren't bad enough, they also added that they "oppose gay adoption" (via Hollywood Reporter). Yikes.

Unsurprisingly, a severe backlash ensued against the brand, and major celebrities like Elton John and Ryan Murphy called for a boycott. Further, one of the company's executives announced that he was stepping down from his position as the editorial director of Dolce & Gabbana's magazine, Swide. In a Facebook post, he stated the designers' comments were "in total conflict with my personal beliefs and with my commitments towards civil rights in my country."

The backlash was so swift and significant, the designers were forced to apologize to save face. Dolce told Vogue at the time, "I am so sorry. It was not my intention to offend anyone... I've done some soul-searching. I've talked to Stefano a lot about this. I've realized that my words were inappropriate, and I apologize." And Gabbana, who is himself homosexual, clarified his stance on LGBTQ adoption, telling Vogue he himself wants to adopt a child.