Dolce & Gabbana ad ft. Miley Cyrus – Gorgeous, But Emotionally Flat

Dolce & Gabbana has rolled out its Fall/Winter 2024-25 campaign, tapping into black-and-white elegance to evoke the timeless sophistication of the 1920s. With photography by Steven Meisel, art direction by Baron&Baron, and styling by Karl Templer, the campaign stars Miley Cyrus in a setting that channels old-school glamour with a modern twist. Unfortunately, while the production values are high, the ad leaves much to be desired regarding emotion and cohesion.

The Visuals: A 1920s Dream

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the campaign is a visual success. Meisel’s expertly handled black-and-white palette is a beautiful homage to the glamour of bygone eras. The setting—a retro-styled brasserie—aims to transport viewers to a time of luxury and effortless sophistication. The sleek monochrome tones, combined with intricate attention to detail, recreate the lavish style of the 1920s, a hallmark of Dolce & Gabbana’s luxurious image.

But while the ad’s nostalgic flair is spot-on, the emotional connection falls flat. This campaign feels oddly cold for a brand known for its ability to convey sensuality and passion. It’s polished and stylish, but it lacks heart. The setting and fashion look great, but nothing in the images feels particularly lived-in or emotionally stirring.

Miley Cyrus: A Miscast Diva?

Miley Cyrus is no stranger to fashion campaigns, and her modern-day boldness often makes her a compelling choice for edgy, daring brands. But here, her casting feels mismatched. Despite being styled as a “bygone diva,” she seems disconnected from the world around her. There’s a tension between the 1920s-inspired atmosphere and Miley’s persona, and it doesn’t quite land. Rather than blending into the story, she feels like an outsider. It’s as if Miley was dropped into this high-fashion world without fully belonging to it.

Her charisma often pops on the screen and gets lost in retro stylization. It’s clear she’s trying to channel a seductress of the past, but the result comes off as more forced than organic. The campaign doesn’t play to Miley’s strengths, which is unfortunate given her ability to be a magnetic presence in the proper context.

Where’s the Fashion?

Another significant issue with the campaign is that it fails to showcase the clothes as effectively as it should. For a luxury fashion house like Dolce & Gabbana, the collection should be the star of the show. Instead, the ad focuses more on the aesthetic mood than the garments themselves. Yes, we can tell the collection is refined and sophisticated, but it doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. The pieces blend too much into the black-and-white background, making it hard for viewers to appreciate the intricacies of the designs.

Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall/Winter 2024-25 collection is undoubtedly filled with beautiful clothing, but this ad doesn’t do it justice. When the clothes don’t command attention, the campaign risks becoming more about the overall vibe than the actual products.

Brand Association: A Missed Opportunity?

Dolce & Gabbana’s decision to collaborate with Miley Cyrus makes sense on paper—she’s a bold, modern figure, and Dolce & Gabbana loves a celebrity who challenges convention. However, this specific campaign doesn’t utilize her persona well. The juxtaposition of Miley’s contemporary boldness with a 1920s-inspired setting could have been fascinating, but it feels disjointed here.

It’s also worth noting that despite its star power, the campaign lacks a solid emotional punch. There’s no narrative drive or clear story to pull viewers in. For a high-fashion campaign, it’s shockingly forgettable. By the time it’s over, it feels like you’ve seen a nice photo series rather than a piece of marketing that sticks with you.

The Good, The Bad, and The Could Be Better:

• The Good: Visually, the ad is stunning. The black-and-white palette and 1920s inspiration are on point, delivering a sense of timelessness that matches Dolce & Gabbana’s brand ethos.
• The Bad: Miley Cyrus feels out of place in this retro setting. While she’s a star, her presence doesn’t elevate the campaign—it distracts from it. Additionally, the ad lacks emotion, and the clothes don’t stand out.
• The Could Be Better: The campaign could have benefited from a stronger narrative or emotional hook. Miley Cyrus’s natural edge could have been better harnessed in a more modern or edgy context, and the clothing should have taken center stage instead of being background decor.

Final Verdict:

Dolce & Gabbana ad ft. Miley Cyrus looks beautiful, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The visuals are chic, and the 1920s-inspired atmosphere is well-crafted, but the casting of Miley Cyrus doesn’t click, and the collection itself gets lost in the noise. For a brand as iconic as Dolce&Gabbana, this campaign should have felt like a bold statement—it doesn’t. Instead, it’s stylish but forgettable, a marketing fail in the context of emotional engagement.