Dsquared2 Punk, Piercings, and Platforms
Dan and Dean Caten’s mash up of British youth culture movements from the ‘70s featured iconic references to glam rock, punk, skinheads and mods. The Caten twins freely mixed gay style elements like 6-inch platform boots with overtly masculine styles describing it as “urban tough guy meets glam rocker.” There were rebels, punks, disco queens and toughed up versions of other British styles sprinkled with a bit of Ziggy Stardust. All were sent down the runway donning sparkly, glam rock high-heeled platform boots covered in silver, black, red or pink sequins. The monster platform boots, easily the most outrageous footwear of the season came decorated with bedazzled flames or encrusted with star embroidery,
while other more sober styles were paneled in black leather. Backstage, Dan and Dean said that the footwear had defined their casting for the show, “The first thing we did at the casting was make them try the shoes. And if they could walk in them, then we dressed them, then they got in the show.”
Denim, a signature staple at DSquared2 was cut skin-tight, ripped or acid splashed and rolled just above the top of the boots. The lineup included other time tested staples like denim jackets, razor-slim motorcycle pants, fitted polos, graphic t-shirts and plenty of leather. Championing British skinhead style, models rocked lurex knit tank tops and studded biker jackets over distressed jeans accessorized with harnesses and suspenders. The accessories were no less daring with models done up with nose and lip piercings, heavy chain collars and thick leather wristbands. A generous amount of flashy outerwear was also sprinkled throughout, including a smattering of glittery prints like a camouflage parka and trousers decorated with tonal sequins, and a Japanese-style, floral silk jacquard panled jacket. Other gay style statement pieces included fully sequined jackets and silver lame` trousers. For the finale, the brothers strutted down the catwalk in their signature skinny jeans wearing thigh-high, platform boots trimmed in black and silver sequins. The gay-positive message of the designers’ Milan runway show resonated loudly with fashion crowd.
