#Boycottdolcegabbana Elton John & More Celebrities Join

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have responded to backlash after their "synthetic" babies remarks were condemned by Elton John. Sir Elton John had vowed to boycott fashion label Dolce & Gabbana after the designers slammed same-sex families and synthetic babies.

Despite the backlash over the IVF children comments, the two Italian renowned designers stand firmly by their statement. They said, "We believe firmly in democracy and we think freedom of expression is essential for that. We talked about our way of looking at the world, but it was not our intention to express a judgement on other people's choices. We believe in freedom and love."

Courtesy of twitter

Gabbana previously said, "The only family is the traditional one. I am opposed to the idea of a child growing up with two gay parents." Dolce added, "I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalogue." The fashion icons, who founded the Dolce & Gabbana label, were a gay couple for 23 years, before they split in 2005. They continue to work together and are close friends.

However, their same sex families comment triggered an angry reaction from Sir Elton John who, has two children with his partner David Furnish through a surrogate mother.

Courtesy of twitter

He fired back on Instagram, "How dare you refer to my beautiful children as 'synthetic.' And shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF - a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children."

Courtesy of Instagram

Elton, 67, married his long-term partner David, 52, in December in front of celebrity friends including the Beckham clan, Liz Hurley and David Walliams.

Martina Navratilova applauded the singer, "Right on Elton and David. My D&G shirts are going in the bin - don't want anyone to wear them."

Ricky Martin joined the critics, "@dolcegabbana your voices are too powerful to be spreading so much hatred. Wake up. It's 2015. Lover yourselves guys #boycottdolcegabbana."