DSQUARED2 - MENSWEAR FOR WOMEN

DSquared2 debuted their Spring 2011 collection in their home base of Milan for Milan Fashion Week. The Caten twins collection was more subdued and wearable than their usual collections, but the clothes are beautiful and just as interesting. The twins collection focused on menswear for women while combining it with early 90's elements with the big white socks and Oxford shoes (the ladies of Beverly Hills, 90210 would approve!). Unfortunately, the designers seem to loooooove their skinny models.

(Above: Are her legs hairy?)

Jesus!

Photo Source.

Writer: Kate Murphy

DSQUARED2 FALL/WINTER 2010

In between the opening and closing ceremonies, DSquared2's Dan and Dean Caten jetted half way across the world to debut their Fall/Winter 2010 collection in their adopted city for Milan Fashion Week. Like every DSqaured2 collection, it's edgy, dark, and hard. The clothes make women powerful and in charge, while still being feminine. To view the entire collection click here.

Photos provided by Coutorture.

Writer: Kate Murphy

DSquared2 <3's CAMPing

DSquared2 debuted their Spring/Summer 2010 collection this past week during Milan Fashion Week. The design duo are home grown Canadians, but are now based out of Milan. However, the collection was less Italian and more Canuck.

Maybe the twins found inspiration while designing the Olympic outfits the athletes will wear, because this collection has a distinct Canadiana feel, with detailing right down to a maple leaf in place of a heart.

The show included pitched tents on the runway, hiking and rain gear. One thing DSquared2 aren't is boring. Their shows are often the most enjoyable during fashion weeks. The twins never take themselves or fashion too seriously. They play and have fun with their collections and aren't afraid to be camp-y (pun totally intended!)

What's really impressive about the collection are the details. High heeled studded lace-up hiking sandals were worn with thick grey and orange woolen socks. The outfits were accessorized with beaded necklaces shaped like creepy crawly black beetles. The models are even carrying beer bottles with them as they trot down the runway.

So if this collection is any indication, the Canadian Olympic team will be sporting trucker hats and plastic raincoats when standing on the podium.

Photos provided by FAB Sugar.
Writer: Kate Murphy

MAC meets DSquared2

Canadian design duo, Dsquared2's Dean and Dan Caten, have collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on a new fall makeup line that will include everything from lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, powders, brushes and much more. They've even created a product named Greasepaint Sticks (sounds cool enough!).

“DSquared2 and MAC are on the same trip!” says Dan.

The cosmetics are reasonably priced from $14 for lipsticks to $34 for brushes.

The line will be available October 12th.

Photos provided by Fashion Indie.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Dsquared2 talk Canada

The designers are...busy in their native land of Canada. They’ll shoot the commercial for their first scent in the mountain resort of Banff in July, then be honoured with a star on Toronto’s Walk of Fame in September, followed by taking up the designing mantle for outfits at the opening ceremony for Vancouver’s 2010 winter Olympics. "We’re already late on that one," said Dean. "They won’t tell us who we’re dressing," added Dan. "We’re like ‘Can I know who it is or at least give me the measurements so we can get started?’"

Photo and info from WWD.

Linda & Naomi Scrap for DSquared2

DSquared2 have decided to forego the "it girl" models and famous celebrities to be the faces of their new ad campaign. They've gone to the tried and true supermodels of the 90's. Canadian, and my hometown (shout out to St. Catharines!) girl, Linda Evangelista goes nose to nose with Naomi Campbell in the Spring/Summer 2009 ads.

The photos were shot by famed photographer Steven Meisel. The ads shows the two beauties squaring off in combat.

The ads have garnered their fair share of controversy because they show a black woman and a white woman fighting. Some argue that Naomi seems to be the aggressor in the ads which some say is blatant racism and an inappropriate portrayal of a certain race. Linda's facial expressions emote a sense of weakness and fear. Critics are arguing that it's another example of white people fearing black people and that ads like these perpetuate the ignorance. On the other hand, others are saying that it is only right for Naomi to be the aggressor, knowing her history and her troubles with the law.

You may not buy into all of this, but it is certainly something to think about.

Controversy aside, the women and the pictures look beautiful.

Photos provided by Style Frizz.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Canadian Stars

Dean and Dan Caten, the designers of Dsquared2, will be honoured in September during the Toronto International Film Festival with their very own star on Canada's Walk of Fame. The duo join other fashion insiders Linda Evangelista and Daria Werbowy with the prestigous honour.

"Canada is our birthplace and will always remain in our heart. It is with enormous pride that we accept this award and we hope to serve as inspiration for young emerging talent to follow their dreams," says the designers.

"Fashion, music and all of the arts have become forces to be reckoned with across Canada. The people involved continue to evolve into a class of individuals that Canada is pleased to claim as its own. We could not be more proud to be inducted into such a community."

Writer: Kate Murphy

Gold Medal Glory

Canadian designers Dsquared2 will help design and produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Expectations will be high for the ceremonies, especially considering the spectacle of the Beijing Olympics last summer. Twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten are promising viewers that they "will be awestruck".

Let's just hope that the Canadian Olympians can accessorize DSquared2's outfits with a beautiful gold medal hanging around their neck.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Britney <3's Canadian Designers

Britney Spears showed up to her concert after part rocking another garment by a Canadian designer.

Britney Spears' entire tour costumes were designer by Toronto twins Dan and Dean Caten, aka DSquared2. While performing in Montreal, Britney showed up to her after party wearing a coat by Montreal-based designers and childhood friends Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, better known as Mackage.

Mackage's strengths lie within their outerwear and use of wool with well cut leather detailing. Their coats have great shape and clean lines. They balance the femininity of the sexiness and sleekness of their coats with the masculinity of leather and large silver or gold button detailing.

Britney isn't the only Hollywood starlet rocking Mackage's coats. Hilary Duff, Jessica Biel, Halle Berry, Kreesha Turner, and Kristen Bell have all been spotted wearing Mackage. Mackage is also a favourite of wardrobe departments and can be seen in shows such as Gossip Girl, Nip/Tuck, 24, and The Sopranos.

Mackage's coats are quality coats that will set you back a few hundred dollars or more.

Currently Mackage is selling this leather bomber jacket (below) at popular Canadian boutique Aritzia for $550.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Fall/Winter 2009 Collections

'Why doesn't anyone have any class? Why is everyone such a pain in the ass?'

Those were the words that opened DSquared2's Fall/Winter 2009 collection at this year's Milan Fashion Week. The purpose of the words helped create a setting of attitude and entitlement that would serve as the focus of the fashion show.

Once looking at the fashion show and seeing the props used it becomes quite obvious to see who were the inspirations for the collection. With layers and layers of clothing and a firm hand clutching a Starbuck's coffee, blackberry, or gossip mag, Dean and Dan clearly based their collection on two other famous twins; Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The fashion show was a tongue and cheek look at excessive consumerism and our obsession with celebrity culture. DSquared2 are known for their elaborate and fun fashion shows, and they are always willing to poke fun at themselves and the industry that they work for.

DSquared2 are a much more casual brand compared to other couture designers, meaning a lot of their pieces are completely appropriate for the average girl to wear while walking down the street. The collection focuses on oversized scarves, plaid, large dark shades, oversized beanies and the oversized boyfriend jean. DSquared2 often create collections that are very hard, dark and masculine. This can be seen with the models makeup, the shoe collection, leather and chain accents, and feather and fur details. A rock 'n' roll feeling was created with the sounds of Robert Plant belting out Led Zeppelin tunes. The essence of rock 'n' roll was established with the use of leopard prints and oversized concert tees. An homage to Kurt Cobain was apparent with plaid shirts being tied around the waist accompanied by a light denim jacket. There is also a very feminine aspect of the collection that is seen in the long flowy dresses and the use of bright colours such as pink, blue and purple.

DSaquared2 created a nice dichotomy within their collection by pairing oversized and baggy jeans and cargo shorts on the bottom with shrunken cropped leather and jean jackets and vests on top.

The fall/winter line is odd in a way because none of the pieces are particularly innovative nor groundbreaking. In fact most of the pieces are trends that have previously been worn by the masses, yet DSquared2 manage to create an overall feeling that is spot on for the time that we're living in. Their clothing allows for reinterpretation and personal creativity. So in that case it becomes hard to tell who the designers were; Dean and Dan or Mary-Kate and Ashley?

To view more of DSquared's 2009 Fall/Winter collection click here.
To view DSquared's 2009 Fall/Winter fashion show click here and here.

Writer: Kate Murphy

FASHION CIRCUS

Britney Spears is back!
Last night Britney Spears kicked off her new North American tour in support of her album Circus. It's the first time she's toured since well...marrying and divorcing K-Fed, having two babies, losing her two babies, shaving her head, flashing her little Britney, driving around at all hours of the night, going to rehab, dating a paparazzo, running over a paparazzo, locking herself in a room holding her son hostage, getting strapped to a gurney on the way to the hospital, and another rehab stint. WOW! That's one hell of a ride.

But let's forget about all of that for a few moments shall we. Because Britney Spears is back. She has a new album, her hair looks good, she's got her body back and she looks great.

To kick off the new and improved Britney, she sought out the talents of Canadian designers Dean and Dan Caten, aka DSquared2, to create their very own circus. "We searched for a different interpretation for this tour, starting with the traditional idea of the circus and then abandoning it". The twins said their inspiration came from wanting to create something "animalistic and primal".

“We wanted to create something provoking and indecent... We are confident that this partnership, an autobiographical tribute for one that has always been in the spotlight: scrutinised, watched, imitated, photographed, criticised and loved, will be an enormous success.”

"It's a a kind of metamorphosis from animal to ringmaster to slave, in keeping with the circus theme," DSquared revealed. "She starts off with the cheetah head, removes it to become the ring-master and lion-tamer, and then strips off the jacket to reveal a Swarovski-crystal corset, fishnets and thigh-high boots." While wearing the 'three piece vixen corset and pants set' Spears is thrown into a cage while chain bound.

This job was a dream for the designers who said they are "enormous fans of Britney, and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to collaborate with her".

Some photos provided by Just Jared.
Writer: Kate Murphy