Dolce & Gabbana's magazine director has resigned following the design duo's controversial comments on same-sex parenting. Guiliano Federico announced his departure from Swide.com, the company's magazine, in a statement on Facebook. "It has been a difficult but clear decision," he wrote. "I believe that fashion designers should stay in their own routes simply designing clothes, even if Stefano and Domenico always successfully aimed in putting their own personal values into their collections."
Dolce & Gabbana expressed their views on same-sex parenting in a recent interview
He added that the comments the designers made "are in total conflict with my personal beliefs and with my commitments towards civil rights in my country." "For this reason, I've resigned from my role as editorial director at Swide.com. It is time that each of us makes little actions to claim their own beliefs. "I'm proud of being Italian, proud of our past and traditions, but I believe that Italy can look at a more modern and equal future for our citizens and children. All children."
The design duo faced a backlash after the comments were published
Dolce & Gabbana's faced a backlash when they expressed their views in a recent interview with Italy's Panorama magazine. "We oppose gay adoptions," they said. "The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed. Domenico said that procreation "must be an act of love", saying, "You are born to a mother and a father – at least that's how it should be. I call children of chemistry, synthetic children." Stefano added, "The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging." Shortly after the comments were published, Elton John condemned the fashion designers, writing on Instagram: "How dare you refer to my beautiful children as 'synthetic'.
Elton John and David Furnish with their sons Zachary and Elijah
"And shame on you for wagging your judgmental little fingers at IVF – a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both gay and straight, to fulfil their dreams of having children. "Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana." Elton's good friend Victoria Beckham then lent her support, tweeting: "Sending love to Elton David Zachary Elijah & all the beautiful IVF babies x vb."