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When Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana learned that Vanity Fair was planning to run an exposé detailing the pair's legal troubles, the Italian design duo allegedly threatened to pull all of their advertising—an estimated $10 to $20 million—from Condé Nast if the feature was not killed. (As a reminder, the pair was found guilty of tax evasion to the tune of $1 billion in earnings last year.) The designers called Anna directly to make the request, according to sources.
Wintour said no, per Page Six sources, but attended D&G's recent Alta Moda show in Capri to smooth over the relationship. Conde's high priestess also got face time with the designers "as a way of appeasing them without mortgaging the journalistic integrity of Condé Nast over killing the piece." D&G has apparently backed down, although the brand has steered clear of advertising in VF.—Lauren Berger
· Dolce & Gabbana demand Anna Wintour kill exposé [Page Six]
· Dolce and Gabbana Sentenced to Over a Year in Prison [Racked]
· Anna Wintour Dishes Out Hard Truths to Young Designers [Racked]