Fashion's fantastic open house

The Portofino show is classic Dolce& Gabbana style, with Chinese, Russian and African influences. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The jewelry exhibition was held at Gabbana's home, perched on a mountain cliff near the harbor. It's a collection of selected pieces from the past seasons, with some created specially for the occasion. The gem- and pearl-encrusted gold works were meant to testify to the brand's ultra-feminine extravagance.

Guests were told to wear flat shoes the next evening, since they'd take the yacht and then hike for about 20 minutes to Dolce's newly furnished, mountainside home garden.

Some instead wore stilettos, dragging gowns they'd ordered in previous seasons.

The garden event was intended to hark to the fantasy-reality-fusion inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream.

"Dante" signed invitation cards. A nymph strummed a harp. "Elves" swung through the air.

"Roman warriors" raised flowery gates for guests.

Watermelons dangled from the roots of trees.

As classic operas played in the background, a Roman warrior ushered in the first model, who wore a golden gown with a corseted top. It was followed by more empire-waist tulle dresses and gowns, all styled with the house's classic look of center-parted hair, cat eyes, crowns and chandeliers.