In a surprising move, Dean and Dan Caten summoned the press to unveil their spring 2026 collection via showroom appointments on the tails of Milan Men’s Fashion Week, during which they only hosted a cocktail at their Ceresio 7 headquarters to keep the celebrations of their brand’s 30th anniversary going.
The new collection’s release — which indicates the duo will likely sit out the September schedule — might have been out of fashion week tempo, but still came with a beat, as the Catens doubled the surprise factor by making their music debut, too. They collaborated with three-time Grammy-nominated rapper Latto, as well as songwriter and producer JC Chasez and Golden Globe-winning producer Jimmy Harry, on a musical project dubbed “Iconique.”
The song’s title refers to the capsule included in the collection, which features unfussy pieces, such as collectible T-shirts with prints celebrating some of Dsquared2’s staples from the archives, from towering heels to graphic trucker hats. Building on the existing Icon motif, a newly created logo also appeared on sweatshirts and shorts, among others.
“Iconique comes with a jingle,” said Dean Caten flashing a smile. Yet the capsule was only the most accessible prelude to a collection that hit all the brand’s signature notes: a play of contrasts, the mix-and-match of the sporty and the seductive, fun hybrid pieces and an overall fierce, unapologetic attitude boomed throughout the lineup.
Among the bold and heavily accessorized women’s proposition, classic cotton shirts and their laced versions were turned extra-sexy via an opening back and a tapering front revealing the hips and meant to be tucked into or around a belt. Denim shorts in micro proportions were tweaked with little rings to accommodate such a purpose, while other distressed denim pants came with built-in elastic waistbands to mimic underwear peeking out.
Elsewhere, sensual chiffon minidresses were paired with military-inspired pieces, while a cascade of cockade appliqués sweetened the street appeal of roomy pants. Utterly feminine options like devoré frocks featuring a hibiscus flower pattern or beaded skirts that left little to the imagination were juxtaposed with football-nodding jersey separates instead.
Tailoring also blended with the sporty for both genders in navy blazer jackets with contrasting nylon cuffs or tuxedos revisited with zippers and mesh inserts. Other hybrid garments ranged from fun tank tops with built-in backpack straps to a men’s piece patchworking four jackets into one.
While a leopard print acted as a blender — splashed over chiffon dresses and basketball jerseys alike — distressed details and preppy accents were stronger in the men’s line, as displayed in a look coupling a shirt stitched with stripes of lining fabric with raw-cut Bermuda pants.
“It’s who we want to be when we grow up. But we’re still kids. We’re still playing, and daring. There’s still time,” said Dean Caten.
