Last week, during Milan Fashion Week, Dsquared2 stunned the crowd and the internet with a show that seamlessly blended past and present, paying homage to their remarkable 30 year legacy. Canadian designers, and identical twins, Dean and Dan Caten marked the milestone by enlisting top models from multiple generations, channeling ‘icon-ique’ figures who have shaped fashion history, making ‘icon’ the mantra of the night.
The show kicked off hot with a riveting opening by Grammy-winner Doechii, making her Milan Fashion Week debut. She daringly sprinted to the runway in chic strappy stilettos before striding down to ‘Nissan Altima,’ the first track of her groundbreaking album “Alligator Bites Never Heal”. The artist was dressed in a deconstructed corseted parka layered over an asymmetrical ‘icon-ique’ tee that trailed into a flowing train, a powerful statement of both artistry and style, setting the tone for a bold collection.
Following Doechii’s electrifying opening, international supermodel Irina Shayk emerged from the Dsquared2 Bros Co. warehouse sporting the house’s signature Canadian Heritage Hat, first unveiled in their Fall/Winter 2020 collection. A sleek motorcade composed of taxis, convertibles, and vintage classics set the stage for the next act, transporting each model to their own grand entrance.
Yasmin Wijnaldum stepped out of the backseat of a red Mercedes-Benz convertible, her open-seam, backless dress flowing gracefully as she toyed with the jeweled fastenings that held it together. She exuded provocative allure while embodying chic sophistication, storming down the runway with undeniable poise. All the while, fellow models awaited their turn, crowding around the entrance of the warehouse, curiously scoping out the next batch.
One cannot overlook 2024’s Model of the Year, the inherently striking Alex Consani. She has openly shared how deeply she longed to walk in a Dsquared2 show, a dream first realized in 2023 when she made her debut in the ever-timeless Canadian Heritage Hat, a moment that catapulted her career. This time around, she commanded the runway in a bold reinvention: a cowboy hat layered over a baseball cap, adorned with a single cigarette holder, paired with a sweeping fur shawl that cascaded over her shoulders, doubling as a daring top. The shawls’ exaggerated length trailed behind her, kicking up runway dust, echoing her powerfully unrelenting walk.
Not only did the show pay tribute to Dsquared2’s legacy of alluring designs, but it also honored musicians who have permanently changed the fashion world. In an effort to fuse music with fashion, Dsquared2 showcased contemporary musicians while simultaneously honoring icons from the ‘70s. One such icon, preserved in time for her glamorous sense of style, Cher. In prowls a classic Rolls-Royce, and out walks Amelia Gray Hamlin with long, silk-black hair, channeling Cher’s sheer and feathery look from the 1974 Met Gala, a skin tight silhouette accentuated by dramatic feathery fringe. Gray flawlessly captured Cher’s legendary essence.
The grand finale was marked by Naomi Campbell’s iconic closing look, featuring voluminous hair styled with a zip up leather jacket that effortlessly melded into a bodysuit. The spectacle culminated in a theatrical ‘arresting’ walk by Dean and Dan, who were playfully detained by ‘officer’ Briggite Nielsen, Danish actress and model. The twins’ bow to the crowd was tailored in classic suits and platform heels, offering a profound reflection of how the brand embodies the designers themselves.
With an array of forever muses such as Tyson Beckford, Colin Jones, Alton Mason, NLE Choppa, Kit Butler, Isabeli Fontana, and even bona fide TikTok sensation Bách Buqeun, the sheer magnitude of this celebratory show requires a novel to sufficiently capture every fragment. Each moment deserves to be immortalized.
Words by Catalina Olsen
Graphics by Annie Hart