MilanStyle profiles some of fashion’s, and in particular, menswear’s, most important designers, continuing with DSQUARED2.
INTRODUCTION
Dean and Dan Caten, Canadian designers and twin brothers have created one of the most influential, and copied, labels in their short time as fashion designers and founders of their eponymous label, DSQUARED2.
Their collections represent a high-octane, fast-fashion approach to menswear – not for the faint hearted, the designers focus on redefining their signature look each season. What is their signature menswear look? Perhaps similar in style to Dolce & Gabbana and Donatella Versace’s boldest creations; it’s brash, loud and unashamedly Eurotrash. So this is not the label you come to for elegant, classic suiting (although they do make a splendid tuxedo) but instead you’ll find eye-popping trainers in acid colours, mash-up leather and denim jackets and trashed and torn but beautifully finished Italian denim jeans. Like many of the best designers, they began their own label simply because they could not find the types of clothes they wanted to wear.
“We are our first clients. We both have slim figures and initially began our adventure in the fashion business because we could not find outfits that fit us. Still today we design our collection with what we would like to find in our closets in mind.”
Their motto and founding ethos ‘Born in Canada, Made in Italy’ is not just a gimmicky slogan designed to put on a t-shirt each season, but represents their desire to stay true to their Canadian roots whilst acknowledging that Italy, and Italian manufacture, undoubtedly provided a turbo boost to their career and fashion house. Proud of their Canadian heritage, you’ll find their now signature ‘maple leaf’ (always in red, as per Canada’s flag) proudly emblazoned on many a t-shirt, sneaker, belt or denim shirt of theirs.
If the designers had to define the ultimate items of clothing a man should have in his wardrobe, they advise us to keep it incredibly simple:
“A white button-down shirt and a tuxedo jacket with a nice pair of jeans.”
Dsquared2 - AW11 Menswear Collection.
Dsquared2 - SS12 Menswear Collection.
Dsquared2 - One of the label's signature 'mash up' leather and denim jackets.
Dsquared2 - One of the label's iconic tuxedo and distressed denim combination looks.
BACKGROUND
Dean and Dan Caten grew up in suburb in Toronto and are the youngest of 9 children.
They have been in the world of high fashion since 1984, having moved to New York in 1983 to study at the world famous Parson’s School of Design. In 1991 they moved working first for the Versace house and then Diesel until 1994, when they finally launched their own menswear collection entitled ‘DSQUARED2′.
Their catwalk shows have always been an extravaganza, combining music, theatre and fashion. The unusual pairing of their proud Canadian heritage and its iconography alongside sharp Italian tailoring, together with attention to detail have become the foundation of today’s Dsquared2 aesthetic and philosophy. The label has given life to a unique concept of informal and spirited luxury, entirely different to the old European fashion houses in that Dsquared2 is never about heritage or drawing from distant archives – each Dsquared2 collection is a fresh collection.
Dsquared2 : A HISTORY
- 1994 – First collection (menswear) released
- 2001 – The designers create the wardrobe for Madonna’s ‘Drowned World’ tour
- 2003 – Recipients of the GQ ‘Men of the Year Breakout Design Award’
- 2003 – Womenswear collection launched
- 2007 – Flagship store opens in Milan, Italy
- 2009 – The designers receive a star on the Canadian ‘Walk of Fame’ in Toronto
Forget any notions of ‘subdued’, ‘understated’ or ‘timeless’ – this is not the world of Dsquared2, this label is about celebrating maximalism, living in the moment, buying a piece because you need it now and just because you like it. Dsquared2 is for the man who dares to break the rules when it comes to ‘dress code’.
“Born in Canada, Living in London, Made in Italy” – Dean and Dan Caten, Dsquared2
