If Disney fairytales have genies to grant three wishes, in real life one can only take matters into their own hands to achieve the same goal.

So to mark his brand’s 10^th anniversary, Giuliano Calza tapped into the resourcefulness that made GCDS hit such a milestone to begin with. First, he returned to stage a runway show after a one-year hiatus. Then he called in a little favor from BFF Dua Lipa, asking her to curate the short voiceover inviting guests to “take your seats, relax and enjoy the show” that anticipated the first look. Third, in an unexpected move, Calza treated himself by developing a special collaboration with Italian motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi, who was among the slew of local celebrities sitting front row.

The coed show itself was a parade of the brand’s bestsellers and display of the codes Calza has built so far, rooted in pop references and cheeky irony. As he said, these 10 years have been a larger-than-life experience. Calza punctuated the venue with giant props, developing the event around a what’s-in-my-bag theme. 

Walking out from a giant GCDS shopping bag, models went down the runway in a mix of looks spanning from basic printed t-shirts and denim separates to sexy – often borderline camp – dresses, which ranged from ruffled mini frocks in candy-hued animalier patterns or hentai graphics to sparkly or completely sheer numbers with plunging necklines and side cut-outs.

Python prints and polka dots were also recurring elements as the lineup progressed, seen in anything from zippered jackets and pants to figure-hugging tulle dresses. The lingerie concept was reinforced with quirky pannier leotards that gave bodies cartoonish proportions and GCDS’ popular Hello Kitty-shaped cups appearing. 

Calza made sure to include a generous share of accessories – a key category for the brand – such as croc-embossed leather bags in different formats, towering platform boots in acid colors and the ubiquitous fang-shaped heels “Morso.”

Yet the show could have used even more of the biting evoked by the signature footwear design, for the energy was a little low compared to previous GCDS outings and for what should have been a milestone celebration.