Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

2 0 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he genius twins behind the Dsquared2 brand, Dan and Dean Caten, have never been shy about their Canadian roots. Quite the opposite, in fact: in the 20 years they have been building their brand they have actively embraced the spirit of what could be called ‘Canadiana’. The two are fiercely patriotic, having their own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in Toronto (right next to Celine Dion, the epitome of Canadiana), and it has always showed in their work. It’s clear here, too, in their latest autumn/winter collection. The first model launched the proceedings in Milan in a leather jacket paired with dirty denims, followed by a naked male torso in an oversized fur trapper hat and jeans that hung low – the sense of masculine objectification was typical of the brand that the Caten twins have nurtured over the past two decades. That bare, unapologetic patriotismdid not formthe backbone of thewhole show, as the twins accepted that such an idea could only carry it so far. Towards the tail of the event, the jean and plaid gave way to sharply tailored tuxes, richly embroidered – arriving as a vital reminder of just what the Catens are capable of. The range itself was an attempt to capture the freewheeling, high-energy, and irreverent glamorous spirit of what Dsquared2 is, a return to the icons and memorable designs of this still comparatively young brand.