Dsquared² 2025

Dsquared²: Celebrating 30 Years of Bold Fashion

By Marcus G Blassingame

The eternally youthful and exuberant Caten twins are not typically associated with the concept of longevity—yet they proudly commemorate 30 remarkable years in the fashion industry. “Well, it’s been a long run,” they mused ahead of their celebratory show, aptly titled Obsessed2. Their commitment to showmanship has only intensified since their debut in 1994.

Their inaugural show, Homesick Canada, featured a nostalgic yet audacious tribute to their homeland, showcasing “a legion of lumberjack figures in long johns emerging from a wooden forest.” This bold display was the work of “two identical twins determined to thrive in the realm of bourgeois high fashion.” Their ascent was further solidified when they crafted costumes for Madonna, first for her Don’t Tell Me video in 2000 and later for her Drowned World tour in 2002—moments that marked their consecration in the industry.

If the Catens aimed to make their 30th anniversary show unforgettable, they undeniably succeeded. The event was a vibrant spectacle—boisterous, outlandish, and unapologetically extravagant. The set ingeniously recreated a bustling New York street scene, complete with a procession of vintage limousines, pickup trucks, yellow cabs, and patrol cars, all unloading models in a high-octane cavalcade. Showgirls, leather-clad men, cowboys, hot cops, gym boys, adult film stars, and BDSM aficionados paraded through, embodying Dsquared²’s audacious and sexy ethos.

WONDER TWINS ACTIVATE

Dean and Dan Caten were born in 1964 in Toronto, Ontario, growing up in Willowdale alongside their seven older siblings. Their father hails from Casalvieri, a small town in Lazio, Italy. In 1983, the brothers moved to New York to study fashion at Parsons School of Design but returned to Toronto after just one semester.

In 1986, they found a financial backer and launched their first womenswear collection, DEanDAN. By 1988, they had become creative directors for Ports International (now Ports 1961) while also designing for their leisure brand, Tabi International. In 1991, they relocated to Milan, where they worked for Gianni Versace and Diesel, the latter of which helped fund their namesake brand. They debuted their men’s collection in 1994, followed by a women’s collection and a men’s underwear line in 2003.

The designs drew inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences: the rugged charm of country western aesthetics, the empowering spirit of Beyoncé, and the liberating essence of road travel. Each element infused the show with a sense of adventure and individuality.

Supermodels and pop stars rallied to honor the designers, including Alex Consani, Irina Shayk, Amelia Gray, Tyson Beckford, Alton Mason, Isabeli Fontana, and NLE Choppa. The imperious, lion-maned Naomi Campbell commanded the spotlight, while rap sensation Doechii, accompanied by JT, delivered an electrifying performance. For the grand finale, Brigitte Nielsen stormed in, dressed as a police officer, “arresting” the Catens—who, dapper in tuxedos and towering platforms, broke free from their cuffs, igniting a raucous after-party.

The Dsquared² entourage also included collaborations with Magliano, Vaquera, and Bettter—Julie Pelipas’s sustainable line—all welcomed into their archives to reimagine past designs, showcasing a spirit of generosity and shared creativity. The show was dedicated to Julie Enfield, a model and style muse who played a pivotal role in Dean and Dan’s journey. This dedication served as a deeply personal tribute that transcended the glitz, sex appeal, and theatrics, demonstrating that the Catens create with heartfelt intention.