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Dean and Dan CatenMilanese fashion designers, twin brothers
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Dean and Dan Caten Biography
- Early Life
- Career Beginnings
- Move to Milan and Brand Launch
- Notable Achievements
Dean and Dan Caten Biography
Dean and Dan Catenacci, popularly known as the Caten twins, are Canadian-born Milanese fashion designers and the creators of the brand 'Dsquared²'. They were born in 1964 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Willowdale.
Early Life
Dean and Dan Catenacci were the youngest of nine children born to Italian immigrant parents from Naples, Italy. They were raised in a Catholic family.
Career Beginnings
In 1983, the Caten brothers moved to New York to study fashion trends at Parsons The New School for Design, one of the most prestigious colleges in the world for fashion, design, and art. However, they only completed one semester before returning to Toronto. In 1986, with financial support, they launched their first women's clothing collection under the brand 'DEanDAN'. By 1988, they became the creative directors for the brand 'Ports International' (now 'Ports 1961'), a fashion house that aimed to propel the Caten brothers to the forefront of the fashion industry. At the same time, Dean and Dan developed the brand 'Tabi International', which focused on more democratic and accessible leisurewear.
Move to Milan and Brand Launch
In 1991, the Caten brothers relocated to Milan, one of the major fashion capitals of the world. They worked as designers for the fashion house Gianni Versace and the denim brand 'Diesel'. With the support of 'Diesel', they started their eponymous fashion brand. In 1994, they debuted with a men's clothing collection, followed by women's collections and men's underwear collections in 2003. In June 2007, their first 'Dsquared²' flagship store opened in Milan. Today, their stores can be found in various locations worldwide, such as Capri, Istanbul, Kiev, Cannes, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Notable Achievements
The fashion shows by the Caten twins are known for their high energy and creativity. In 2005, one of their shows concluded with singer Christina Aguilera freeing male models from their clothing. In September 2007, singer Rihanna participated in a 'Dsquared²' fashion show, riding onto the runway in a collectible American car. In January 2010, Bill Kaulitz, the eccentric frontman of the German band 'Tokio Hotel', descended from the ceiling in a 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'-inspired cage during a fashion show for the brand. Bill Kaulitz also modeled and closed the show.
Celebrities such as Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Nicolas Cage, and Lenny Kravitz are known to wear 'Dsquared²' clothing, which is characterized by its cowboy-inspired aesthetic. The Caten twins have also worked on costume designs for Madonna's world tour, Britney Spears, and 'Tokio Hotel's 'Welcome to Humanoid City' tour. They have appeared on reality TV show 'America's Next Top Model' and in music videos, including Fergie's 'Clumsy' and The Black Eyed Peas' 'I Gotta Feeling'. In 2006, they were selected to design the new sportswear uniforms for the Juventus football team. In March 2008, Dean and Dan signed a contract with eyewear company 'Marcolin', and their eyewear collection was released in 2009.
The Caten brothers have received several awards and recognitions throughout their career. In 2000-2001, they created over 150 clothing items for Madonna's world tour and music video for the song 'Don't Tell Me'. They were honored with the 'GQ Men of the Year Breakout Design Award' in 2003 and received the 'Golden Needle Award' in 2006. On June 16, 2009, it was announced that the Caten twins would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. The ceremony took place on September 12, 2009.
