Dsquared2 takes fans from the ski slopes to the dance floor

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Jan 14, 2019

The atmosphere was that of a night club at the foot of a snow-bound ski slope at Dsquared2 on Sunday night, as the brand launched its men's and womenswear collection for Fall/Winter 2019-20. Flickering lights greeted attendees at the entrance to a dark hangar, which itself was barely lit by red beams of light. 80s hits, including tracks by Madonna, were played at deafening volumes, while the vodka on the rocks flowed free. 

The invitation, which was in the shape of a VIP pass and featured the brand's name in a Gothic font with the "S" transformed into a bright yellow lightning bolt à la AC/DC, suggested a rock concert. Not least because the red-bordered yellow lettering was echoed on the runway in the hand-painted-looking t-shirts and vests typical of teenage fans of hard rock. 

The brand's rocker look hit the mark, with models sporting neckerchiefs and cross earrings, branded boxer shorts peeking out from the tops of pants in black faux leather or red nylon splashed with paint and crisscrossed by metal chains. The groupie look was also spot on, with girls hitting the runway in super mini-skirts worn over bare legs with peep-toe high-heeled boots, and carrying micro-purses.

But judging by the looks that began to take over the catwalk, it became clear that the show's decor was actually channelling a night club at a ski resort, where young friends on holiday in the mountains – a landscape particularly beloved by Canadian designers Dean and Dan Caten – only want to do one thing: let loose on the dance floor after a long day of skiing. 

All the boys were wearing sturdy thick-soled lace-up mountain boots and ski pants with carelessly dangling suspenders, or the traditional nylon over-trousers, open at the sides. The girls were sporting classic plaid woollen alpine shirts and tight micro-gilets which put one in mind of the vests worn by competitive skiers. 
 

But above all, it was all about partying and everything was sparkling. Glossy trousers reflected back the flashes and glimmers of the night club, while waxed pants, shirts and parkas with psychedelic pink and red prints caught the light. Other pieces featured a myriad of iridescent sequins that looked like the shimmering scales of a fish or a glittering python, while beaded fringes glimmered on shirt and dresses. 

The high point of the runway were the voluminous down jackets and anoraks tie-dyed a rainbow of Fauve-esque colours, as well as the sumptuous sheepskin jackets with generous collars, which came in a variety of models, including the oversized natural classic, an imitation lurex version in shades of shining bronze and models featuring colourful prints, among others.