Dean and Dan Caten’s latest runway show was an exuberant exploration of the twin dynamic, perfectly fitting for the irrepressible Canadian brothers. Who better to illustrate "the two sides of the coin" than these fashion dynamos, who live and breathe the reality of being a day-and-night double version of each other? Their show was a delightful spectacle—fun, uplifting, with just the right amount of camp, and brimming with maximalist, mashed-up styling. In today’s often monotone fashion landscape, it felt like a breath of fresh air.
The show’s cast featured sets of twins, one dressed in Dsquared2’s signature grungy daywear. Upon entering a "makeover machine," the other twin emerged transformed, glammed up in an evening version of what the first was wearing. The set, a sleek white box, provided a glossy backdrop for the grand finale, where the Catens made a memorable appearance. Dan sported a macho look with fitted black jeans and a see-through glittery chiffon shirt, while Dean wowed as a diva with a flame-red hairdo and a black corset dress, revealing his legs and strutting confidently on ultra-high stilettos. They brought the house down.
The show itself was a visual treat, featuring 'busted' models in the brand’s flashy, trashy nouveau take on the Y2K aesthetic it helped pioneer—oversized faux fur trapper hats, distressed denim, and blinged-out accessories. These models underwent a glow-up halfway down the runway, stepping into a futuristic pod reminiscent of the 00s makeover series Snog, Marry, Avoid. With the event announced via a clinical bottle of undisclosed liquid invite—interpreted by some as Botox, others as Ozempic—the made-over models emerged with enhanced faces and high-glam, floor-sweeping gowns, enormous feathered coats, and sleek, sexy, 70s-inspired tailoring. It was a tongue-in-cheek ode to the power of plastic surgery and its influence far beyond fashion.
As the last model disappeared backstage, the audience was momentarily left in suspense with only one Caten appearing for a runway lap. Confusion gave way to delight as George Michael’s "Freedom 90!" blared from the speakers, and Dean stepped out in full drag, wearing a dress reminiscent of Diana's revenge dress, towering stilettos, and a coiffed orange wig that channelled Linda Evangelista at her peak. The audience erupted in applause, proving that if there’s one thing the twins know how to do, it’s put on an unforgettable show.
