Dolce & Gabbana is taking a cinematic approach to the holiday season, transforming a fictional hotel into the setting for its latest festive campaign. Photographed and directed by Gordon von Steiner, Dolce & Gabbana’s 2026 holiday campaign brings together gold eveningwear, black-tie tailoring and leopard-print accents in a series of scenes built around mysterious encounters and old-school Italian glamour.
Set inside a hotel dominated by deep crimson interiors, the campaign follows a cast of guests as they move through the building, creating the impression that something unexpected is about to happen. A woman in a gold dress walks through the lobby, while other guests take telephone calls in their rooms, stop at the reception desk, pour tea and exchange knowing glances. The accompanying film initially presents these moments as glimpses into the private lives of hotel guests before revealing a different story behind the scenes.
Gordon von Steiner Creates a Cinematic Holiday Setting
The campaign uses the hotel as its central visual backdrop, with red walls, satin bedding and dramatic lighting establishing a theatrical atmosphere. Rather than leaning on conventional festive imagery, Dolce & Gabbana builds its holiday narrative around the anticipation of an encounter, allowing the setting and its characters to carry the story.
The women’s looks focus on metallic finishes, sequins and elaborate accessories. One standout image features a model stretched across red satin bedding in a bronze-gold sequined slipdress, with jeweled metallic pumps placed nearby. Other scenes show two women in eveningwear, including a draped gold dress accessorized with a chunky necklace and an embellished top-handle bag.
Sculpted hairstyles and red lipstick complete the styling, reinforcing the campaign’s references to classic Italian glamour. The gold pieces stand out against the saturated red interiors, giving the images a distinctive holiday palette.
Black-Tie Menswear and Leopard Print Complete the Looks
Menswear takes a more restrained direction, with black-and-white tailoring providing a contrast to the campaign’s brighter eveningwear. One look features a three-piece tuxedo with satin lapels, a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie, emphasizing traditional formal dressing.
Leopard print also appears throughout the campaign, extending beyond clothing into the hotel’s decorative details. The pattern features on accessories and interior objects, including a delicate tea set, watch bands, a catchall tray and throw pillows.
These details introduce another recognizable element of the Dolce & Gabbana aesthetic while giving the hotel a more distinctive identity. The combination of animal print, metallic finishes and formal tailoring keeps the campaign connected to the house’s established visual language.
The Holiday Film Ends With a Behind-the-Scenes Reveal
The campaign’s narrative takes an unexpected turn toward the end of the accompanying film. Just as the hotel appears to have established its own mysterious world, the camera pulls back to reveal lighting equipment, cameras and production crew members.
The crimson interiors are exposed as a constructed film set, revealing that the seemingly private encounters, telephone conversations and hotel activities have been staged. What initially appears to be a glamorous hotel rendezvous is ultimately presented as the making of one, blurring the distinction between reality and performance.
The reveal gives the campaign an additional storytelling dimension, turning its carefully composed hotel scenes into part of a larger production.
Dolce & Gabbana Continues Its Holiday Push
Von Steiner’s latest project follows his work on Dolce & Gabbana’s 2025 holiday campaign, which moved between snow-covered outdoor settings and indoor celebrations. That edition featured a palette of black and silver alongside 1960s-inspired brocade, offering a different interpretation of festive dressing.
The 2026 campaign also arrives amid the house’s ongoing holiday retail activities. On October 21, Dolce & Gabbana and Mytheresa introduced the second chapter of their exclusive holiday capsule collection, continuing a partnership that has produced more than 10 collections since 2017. The latest offering focuses on occasionwear, with sculptural minidresses, floor-length gowns, voluminous skirts, sequins, metallic accents and embellished footwear and accessories.
With Dolce & Gabbana’s 2026 holiday campaign, the Italian fashion house shifts the focus from traditional seasonal celebrations to a cinematic hotel mystery. Through von Steiner’s direction, statement eveningwear and a final look behind the production, the campaign offers a theatrical interpretation of holiday glamour.
Shop some pieces in the collection
Check out more photos from Dolce & Gabbana’s 2026 holiday campaign…
Featured image: Gordon von Steiner
—Read Also
