Fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are under the limelight now after a Milan court gave them a suspended prison verdict each for 20 months for failing to pay millions of euro to local tax authorities.

The two did not attend court proceedings. It was reported that both of the accused disputed the allegations and their lawyers will file an appeal against the guilty verdict.

"We are currently going through the verdict and we will submit a plea," defense lawyer Massimo Dinoia stated after the trial.

On the other hand, public prosecutor Gaetano Ruta recommended a two-and-a-half year jail term. However, both of the accused must pay 500,000 euro as initial installment. The fine may reach 10 million euro or an equivalent of $13.4 million.

The judge exonerated the duo of accusations that they submitted erroneous tax returns.

The success of their sexy corset wardrobe and sharply tailored suits favoured by celebrities, who included the likes of Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Bryan Ferry, have earned them a high-profile lifestyle.

The judge ruled that Dolce and Gabbana sold their brand name to Luxembourg-based holding firm Gado in 2004 to avoid declaring taxes on royalties of about 1 billion euro or $1.3 billion.

Both designers still risk a possible tax bill of more than 400 million euro because of the case.

"We cannot even imagine the social and economic consequences of this development," their attorneys stated.

But Dolce and Gabbana are not alone in their prison terms. A handful of fashion designers, whose rise to fame and fortune made them think that they are indefatigable to the point of untouchability in the eyes of law, have ended their high-end careers in the prison cell.

Celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander or Anand Jon was found guilty in November 2012 after 23 counts of sexual assault. He was already convicted in Aug 31, 2012 to a minimum of 59 years of imprisonment and will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least 85 per cent of his sentence. This will be in 2075. This can even be elevated to life imprisonment.

One of his victims was Natalie Pack, a tall, blue-eyed brunette and a talented dancer and professional model, studying in college and engaged to marry.

Unfortunately, she got acquainted with Alexander who raped her in 2004, destroying her future.

According to the district attorney, Alexander normally uses social networking sites to lure unsuspecting young models and used his status and celebrity connections as bait. He will entice them to visit his Beverly Hills apartment which he claimed was his studio and the rape will be committed there.

Koketso Chiepe, who used be Africa's most celebrated fashion designer, has been detained at the Gaborone Village Prison since Aug 24 of for non-payment of debts. The designer was arrested after one of her creditors applied for civil imprisonment because Chiepe was hiding after reserving airplane tickets through them on behalf of celebrity personalities for the opening Gaborone fashion night in 2012.

Meanwhile, Italian fashion designer Gianluigi Assenato, has ended up serving prison sentence after he pleaded guilty for stalking actress Andrea Thompson. Gianluigi earned fame after designing elegant dresses for five actresses who wore his creation at the 1998 Academy Awards. Gianluigi began stalking the NYPD Blue star after the actress broke up with him. He was sentenced to serve two years in prison, after which he was immediately ordered for deportation back to Italy.

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