Canadian fashion is a growing niche within the luxury fashion industry. While it doesn’t have the same glamour as European fashion or draw as American brands, Canadian brands such as Sorel, Canada Goose, and DSQUARED2 are increasingly making a name for themselves within the fashion industry.
The brainchild of two Canadian fashion designers and twin brothers, Dean and Dan Caten, their Milan-based fashion house has become one of the most popular fashion brands by any Canadian designer. Their double D’s make up the brand’s name.
Naomi Campbell is the face of the Dsquared2 Icon FW21 campaign shot by Giampaolo Sgura (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
DSQUARED2 is famous for its high-quality tailoring meets contemporary designs. If you’re a streetwear fan, you’ll be familiar with their celebrity following and extravagant runway shows.
We’re looking at how DSQUARED2 rose to fame, where their products are made, and how to spot fake DSQUARED2 products. If you’re a fashion follower, DSQUARED2 is one Canadian-founded brand you want to have on your radar.
Introducing DSQUARED2: The Canadian Twins Behind the Brand
DSQUARED2 is a luxury fashion brand in a league of its own. Dean and Dan Caten established the fashion brand in 1995 after graduating from the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York.
The designers quickly developed a relationship with some of the most successful celebrities in the entertainment industry, with the brand becoming a go-to choice for pop stars and celebrities during public appearances. In 2001, DSQUARED2 designed over 150 pieces for Madonna’s ‘Drowned’ world tour, putting the brand on the global stage.
Canadian identical twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten are the founders and owners of the Italian luxury fashion house Dsquared² (Credit: Lu Chau / WENN)
With the tagline, “born in Canada, made in Italy’, DSQUARED2 has almost 2 million followers on Instagram. After its launch, DSQUARED2 became an instant trendsetter, becoming the first brand to showcase a dedicated menswear collection. Their early collections focused on minimalistic basics, launching them into the early streetwear scene.
Before launching DSQUARED2, the twin brothers worked at Gianni Versace and Diesel and launched several other fashion brands without much success.
What made DSQUARED2 so successful was its ability to merge Canadian fashion with a European sensibility – it’s effortlessly chic by edgy, with distinctive tailoring.
Designers Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared² attend the Out 100 Awards in New York City on November 10, 2006, celebrating the 100 most influential people in gay culture, dressed in their signature sleek black blazers over crisp white shirts with a modern edge (Credit: PNP / WENN)
DSQUARED2 has a philosophy of an “edgy mix of Canadian iconography, refined Italian tailoring, and playful sensuality.”
You’ll find seamless contrasts amongst their collections as the Caten brothers juxtapose the sporty and the glamorous, feminine features with masculine and laidback features with the extravagant.
Part of DSQUARED2’s success comes from its ability to create a new concept of alternative luxury for the contemporary streetwear age.
Discovering DSQUARED2: Find Your Nearest Luxury Retailer
You’ll find DSQUARED2 products anywhere that offer contemporary luxury brands or streetwear fashion. As a contemporary designer brand with an international following, you’ll discover DSQUARED2 at some of the most iconic department stores in the world.
Popular e-commerce luxury stores carrying DSQUARED2 products include Luisaviaroma, Farfetch, Nordstrom, and Amazon. You can also purchase DSQUARED2 through the brand’s official website.
Lila Moss, Stella Jones, Iris Law, Georgia Palmer, AJ, Finley Williams, Keone Pillay, Oliver Rice, Oisin Murphy, and Sam Majka in a Dsquared2 fashion campaign (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
DSQUARED2 has 113 stores worldwide, including flagship stores in Milan, Dubai, Greece, and Saint Moritz. As one of the most popular Canadian designers, it is easy to find DSQUARED2 pieces for sale pre-loved. Websites like Vestiaire Collective have an extensive collection of pre-owned DSQUARED2 clothing and accessories.
Stepping Out in Style: Celebrities Who Love DSQUARED2
DSQUARED2 has garnered a significant following among celebrities such as Hailey Baldwin, Zendaya, and Doja Cat, with many showcasing the brand’s distinctive designs on various occasions. Here are some of the most stylish DSQUARED2 moments:
Rihanna’s Bold Blue Ensemble
- Event: London Outing
- Outfit: Rihanna stunned in a vibrant blue DSQUARED2 snakeskin micro dress, paired with matching heels and handbag, showcasing her bold fashion sense.
- More Details: Rihanna’s fearless DSQUARED2 look
Kelly Rowland’s Elegant Black Ensemble
- Event: Second Annual StyleMakers Awards
- Outfit: Kelly Rowland exuded sophistication in a black satin halter-neck blouse and a high-waisted pencil skirt.
- Footwear: She completed her look with DSQUARED2 “RiRi” sandals, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
- More Details: Kelly Rowland’s chic DSQUARED2 moment
Ariana Grande’s Jewel-Encrusted Sandals
- Event: 2015 American Music Awards
- Outfit: Ariana Grande wore a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture beaded strapless dress featuring a pink peplum layered over its see-through lace skirt.
- Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with DSQUARED2 “Queen Mary” sandals, known for their diamond and emerald-hued crystal embellishments.
- More Details: Ariana Grande’s dazzling DSQUARED2 footwear
Ashley Greene’s Crystal-Bow Sandals
- Event: Global Green USA’s 12th Annual Pre-Oscar Party
- Outfit: Ashley Greene showcased her ‘Life’s a Dance’ foot tattoo in black satin DSQUARED2 sandals.
- Footwear: The sandals featured rhinestone-embellished bows at the ankles, adding sparkle to her classic silhouette.
- More Details: Ashley Greene’s glamorous DSQUARED2 shoes
Khloé Kardashian’s Sparkling Appearance
- Event: Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Hosts Angel Ball 2016
- Outfit: Khloé Kardashian wore a sparkly dress complemented by Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
- Footwear: She paired her ensemble with silver DSQUARED2 “RiRi” sandals, adding a metallic touch to her look.
- More Details: Khloé Kardashian’s sparkling DSQUARED2 style
In July 2012, Selena Gomez made the best-dressed list in a Dsquared² Resort 2013 Barbie pink fit n’ flare dress at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.
Elegance redefined: Selena Gomez gracing the 2012 Teen Choice Awards in Dsquared²’s signature pink on July 22, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
The young actress toned her dress down with a simple gold bangle and Hervé Léger ‘Nalina’ two-strap sandals.
Selena Gomez dazzled at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards in a Dsquared2 pre-spring 2013 pink dress, complemented by Lana Jewelry small flash earrings and Hervé Léger by Max Azria Nalina sandals
Another celebrity fan is Beyoncé, who wore a custom DSquared2 jacket and Christian Louboutin boots during the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. These moments highlight DSQUARED2’s appeal among celebrities, offering designs that range from bold statements to elegant classics.
Craftsmanship and Origin: The Making of DSQUARED2’s Luxury Line
With a motto like ‘born in Canada, made in Italy,’ it’s no surprise that DSQUARED2 keeps its fashion manufacturing in Europe. While other brands shift their product to Asia and cheaper factories, DSQUARED2 continues manufacturing within Europe.
The brand capitalizes on its ‘made in Italy’ credentials as a streetwear brand, putting it in a unique position within the fashion industry to pitch SQUARED2 as a fresh streetwear approach to classic fashion.
Authenticity Guide: Identifying Genuine DSQUARED2 Products
Like any popular luxury or streetwear brand, DSQUARED2 is no stranger to counterfeit items. The best way to guarantee that you’re purchasing a genuine DSQUARED2 product is by buying directly in-store or online from DSQUARED2 or a registered stockist.
If you’re shopping pre-loved for DSQUARED2 products, you want to brush up on your authenticating skills to know which tell-tale signs to look for.
It’s important to know how to spot a fake DSQUARED2 product so that you don’t get scammed on fraudulent Chinese websites or pre-owned websites like Depop and Vinted.
1. Spotting Authenticity: Beyond the Label
Often, people own counterfeit items without even realizing it, primarily if the item is a gift. Just because someone lists an item as an authentic DSQUARED2 item, it doesn’t guarantee the authenticity of the item.
You want to look out for descriptions that include statements like ‘1:1 bag’. Always approach pre-loved listings with a pinch of salt, and don’t automatically believe everything that you read online.
You also want to be skeptical of the price. While DSQUARED2 products don’t maintain – or appreciate – their value after use, they won’t be sold at a 99% discount. If it seems like a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Brand Integrity: Identifying DSQUARED2’s Authentic Branding
One of the most common mistakes that you’ll find in counterfeit DSQUARED2 items is that they incorrectly spell the brand name or make errors with the branding.
Occasionally, counterfeiters do this to avoid copyright issues, but it’s also due to the nature of the counterfeit item being mass-produced in Asian warehouses.
Dsquared2 Run DS2 drawstring lace-up sneakers with signature logo branding
Look for mistakes in the brand’s font, typeset, and logo placement. Familiarise yourself with the fashion label’s branding to know what to expect from a genuine DSQUARED2 product.
3. Quality Tells the Tale: Assessing DSQUARED2’s Craftsmanship
DSQUARED2 is a fashion brand that trades on its Italian manufacturing and ‘made in Italy’ credentials.
If an item feels as though it’s cheaply made or that there hasn’t been paid care to the manufacturing of the item, alarm bells should start ringing. Disappointing quality is one of the tell-tale signs of a counterfeit designer item.
This black Dsquared2 D2 Leaf asymmetric sweatshirt pays homage to the symbol of the designers’ home country
Look out for cheap fabrics, unusual labels, and incorrect stitching. Attention to detail is at the heart of DSQUARED2’s Italian manufacturing.
If the time doesn’t look or feel like something you’d see on the shelf in Holt Renfrew, it’s counterfeit. What do you think of DSQUARED2, and why do you think it’s become one of the most popular Canadian fashion brands?