Madonna - A Cultural Constant
Madonna’s presence in the new campaign resonates far beyond celebrity casting. For decades, she has embodied creative independence, self-authorship, and a refusal to conform. Her relationship with Dolce & Gabbana dates back to the mid-1990s, built on shared values rather than momentary collaboration.
In this campaign, Madonna appears not as a performer adopting a role, but as a woman fully inhabiting her own narrative. Her gaze is steady. Her movements are restrained. Beauty here is expressed through authority and composure, shaped by experience and intention.
La Bambola - An Italian Voice Reclaimed
Music forms the emotional core of the campaign. Madonna performs an exclusive Italian-language reinterpretation of La Bambola, the 1968 song originally sung by Patty Pravo. The choice carries cultural weight. Once associated with irony and provocation, the song becomes, in Madonna’s voice, an intimate reflection on autonomy, desire, and self-possession.
Produced by Stuart Price, Madonna’s longtime collaborator, the track introduces a refined dance-floor sensibility that remains measured and atmospheric. Sung in Italian for the first time by the artist, La Bambola weaves music directly into the narrative of the campaign, connecting sound, scent, and cinema into a single emotional language.
A Night Shaped by Cinema
Directed by Mert Alas, the campaign unfolds as a nocturnal story framed by shadows, glances, and pauses. Echoes of 1970s Italian neorealist cinema shape the visual language, where seduction exists through tension rather than declaration.
Alongside Madonna appears actor Alberto Guerra, and together they inhabit a space defined by attraction, jealousy, and restraint. The narrative builds gradually, culminating in a moment of physical closeness that seals the emotional arc without excess.
The One Eau de Parfum Intense
Created by perfumer Quentin Bisch, The One Eau de Parfum Intense deepens the olfactory language that has defined the feminine side of The One since 2006. This interpretation does not disrupt the original structure. It concentrates it, drawing the composition closer to the skin while amplifying its emotional presence. The opening unfolds with the gentle spark of pink pepper, whose dry luminosity brings tension and light. This freshness is softened by the citrus glow of mandarin, while blackcurrant introduces a darker, fruit-toned depth that immediately grounds the composition.
As the fragrance develops, a refined bouquet of jasmine emerges at the heart, shaping the scent’s identity with measured floral warmth. The jasmine here feels controlled and architectural rather than overtly lush, reinforcing the fragrance’s sense of composure. In the dry-down, the composition settles into a creamy base where vanilla intertwines with amber accords. This foundation creates a sustained, intimate trail that unfolds gradually, expressing sensuality through restraint and balance rather than overt intensity. The result is a fragrance that feels confident, self-possessed, and deeply rooted in presence.
The One for Men Parfum
Composed by Jean-Christophe Hérault, The One for Men Parfum expands the masculine signature of the collection through a denser, spiced amber structure. The opening introduces a precise aromatic tension, led by black pepper, whose crisp heat brings clarity and direction. Nutmeg adds warmth and texture, while Tarocco orange introduces a subtle citrus brightness that keeps the opening fresh without diluting its depth.
At the heart, the fragrance reveals a layered woody-aromatic core built around labdanum, patchouli, and clary sage. These notes give the composition structure and continuity, anchoring the scent in a refined, grounded character. As it evolves, the base unfolds with the smoky sweetness of tobacco, the dry elegance of vetiver, and a warm amber accord. Together, they create a composed, lingering finish that remains close yet persistent, expressing masculinity through depth, calm strength, and controlled intensity.
Design and Continuity
The flacons reflect the spirit of the new chapter while preserving the architectural clarity of the original design. Clean lines define both bottles, with gold accents for her and deep brown tones for him. The result is restrained, precise, and unmistakably aligned with the identity of The One.
The One, Twenty Years On
Twenty years after its introduction, Dolce & Gabbana The One remains rooted in presence rather than proclamation. The collaboration with Madonna reinforces this philosophy. It speaks of self-defined elegance, inner strength, and a sensuality shaped by confidence rather than performance.
In this chapter, fragrance becomes memory, cinema becomes atmosphere, and Madonna stands as the living expression of The One - a figure shaped by time, culture, and unwavering creative autonomy.
Courtesy of Dolce&Gabbana Beauty
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