Partners in life and fashion Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have split up after 20 years together. Or almost. While the couple have announced their separate ways, they will continue to run the company they founded in 1985.

For a fashion label so heavily based on the merits of sexual frisson and which was founded by a couple in love, a romantic split creates an interesting predicament. It will be interesting to see the effects of their break on their work, though it is unlikely that the split will be too damaging. When asked if they were likely to get back together, Mr Gabbana said: "I don't think so," when Mr Dolce interjected: "Never say never..."