NAPLES -- VIPs finely dressed from head to toe. That’s how Dolce & Gabbana spent their 30^th anniversary in the Tyrrhenian city this weekend.

 A vibrant four-day program with evocative metropolitan locations, including museums, beaches, streets in the historical centre and fine restaurants, all on Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana’s appointment book.

 The city was undoubtedly showered with attention: the ‘maison’ brought more than 40 yachts and private jets; luxury hotels like Grand Hotel Vesuvio and Romeo Hotel rolled out the red carpet, honouring international celebrities, occupying a total of 500 suites for the private celebration with over 50 foreign journalists and D&G staff accommodated in four-star hotels.

 Featuring D&G ‘Dolce Rosa Excelsa’ perfume testimonial and patroness Sofia Loren, the guest list was comprised of a parterre that included more than 400 prestigious VIP guests.

 As exclusive coiffeur and make up artist for the VIPs during the D&G Sha Bang, locally based Salonhair got the honour of massaging scalps and deciding on make up for the stars.

 Salonhair broke in their new combs on guests of the highest calibre for the royal inauguration dinner at Villa Pignatelli. Celebrations followed at an ‘en plein air’ promenade set Friday along the cobblestone street of San Gregorio Armeno where strong contrasts were the protagonists between high fashion and traditional Neapolitan backdrops. On Saturday the spectacle continued with a men’s fashion show disseminated around the grounds of Norman Castel dell’Ovo, jutting out majestically into the bay waters from Megaride islet.

 45-year old owner Salvatore Vilardi put together a fantastic team of professional hairstylists. With four barbers, seven makeup artists and at least 15 experienced hairdressers, Salonhair gave the jet set their final touches before being blinded by paparazzi.

 Having been raised in the Sanità quarter in Naples, Salvatore’s humble beginnings made it easy for him to dream. After opening his first salon at the young age of 23, he realized he wanted more. Almost by magic, the coiffeur decided to open a small salon in one of Naples posh neighbourhoods just after turning 40. Now, a mere three years later, he is the owner of five successful salons and a barbershop in the city centre.

 Observing the crew’s temporary backstage hairdresser at the grand finale soirée in Mamba Italiano style at Bagno Elena beachlooking over Posillipo Bay, they seem like born naturals. In a heart to heart conversation with blow dryer in one hand and brush in the other, the owner confesses that he’s faced many adversities. “I’ve committed just about all possible errors in my life,” he explains, “you suffer inside, and then you learn from them, trying to get something positive out of them.”

 Applying exclusive American hair treatments to top VIPs’ hair, surely he has turned around any shortcomings. “Let’s say I was in the right place at the right time,” referring to why D&G chose him to be in charge of the faces and hair of so many key guests.

 “With so many VIPs in your able hands, the Italian Insider irresistibly wants its readers to know who has the most manageable hair?” With a devious smile, Vilardi answers: “I cannot divulge any names.”

 Salonhair bounces left and right taking care of all of Dolce & Gabbana’s special guests; “Some days you lose and some days you win. I cannot describe how I feel right now,” says Vilardi just after the ‘maison’ awards him a pair of glasses signed D&G. “These past four days have been nothing short of a dream come true.”

 While this phenomenal experience makes his new clients yearn for Salonhair to open a parlour near them, Italian Insider asks what’s next. “Next, I’m going to open an academy in collaboration with the city of Naples. This project aims to give the less fortunate the possibility of learning a real trade, offering the most gifted students a five-year apprenticeship,” happy to add, “ being active in my community is very important to me.”

 Local businesses and sights are not new to D&G’s attention. The fashion duo has long since felt a deep tie to the city and its southern Italian traditions. Fascinated by handcrafted nativity scene figures, D&G have often displayed rare ‘presepe’ pieces in boutique windows at Christmas. They’ve chosen Capri for their most recent perfume campaign, the heart of the antique city for their 2016-2017 autumn/winter collection and now the island of Procida as the background for a new D&G advertisement.

 Thanks to a revolutionary idea to take traditional fashion shows to ‘en plein air’ sets, last Aprilthe ‘maison’ photo shoot was a clear tribute to Naples. Giving the city a preview of the attention D&G would be dedicating to the metropolis for their upcoming anniversary, they declared their love for the city on their website: “Naples is real. Naples is Beauty. Naples is good food. Naples is passion. Naples is generousness.”

 Now that the party is over and reflectors are off, with the precious contribution of Naples’ best professionals like Salonhair, the stylist duo can say “Naples is International.”

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