DSquared2 Hit The Slopes For AW26

Written by: Henry Tuppen

Edited by: Penelope Bianchi

Photography: Mathias Apap

With the icy grip of the cold white north enthralling many in recent months, thanks to the overwhelming success of the Heated Rivalry series, Dean and Dan Caten brought their winter sports inspirations to the fore at their AW26 show in Milan.

A model wearing a colorful sweater, blue puffy pants, a red knit hat, and black boots walks on a runway resembling a snowy scene, with pine trees and mountains painted in the background.

A model walks down a snowy-themed runway wearing bulky, layered winter clothing, including a large yellow puffer jacket draped over one shoulder, black pants, boots, and ski goggles on their head.

Having always been keen on the exaggerated proportions winter clothing offers, DSquared2 allowed them to play a central role this season – warming up (or in this case, cooling down) Milanese audiences for the kick off of the 2026 Winter Olympics next month. Models donned 70s-inspired vintage ski aesthetics, complete with the odd inlaid gold medal or racing number, as they trudged down a snow-covered runway.

A male model walks on a snowy runway wearing a white knit scarf and cap, cream pants, black boots, and a fur accessory; his chest is bare and trees are visible in the background.

A shirtless male model on a runway wears shiny blue denim pants, an open matching jacket, large black boots, and a fluffy black hat, with a winter-themed backdrop and snow-covered trees behind him.

The spirit of après-ski was also embraced to its fullest, most notably in a look which combined a cowboy-cum-ski boot with a sumptuous fur coat that would look equally at home in the Ritz or on the set of The Revenant.

The denim appeared almost coated in frost, whilst the latex and nylon ensembles seen in the womenswear looks — combining corseted mini dresses with stacked puffers and cropped hockey jackets — brought a sleek and modern feel to the runway.

A person wearing a colorful, long-sleeved top with a red maple leaf design and black pants walks on an indoor ice rink, with snow-like decorations and winter scenery in the background.

A model on a runway wears a dramatic black, pink, and green puffer coat over a black bra, with high-waisted pants, sunglasses, and tall, styled blond hair. The background features snow and dark, misty trees.

The show also introduced the brand’s new eyewear collaboration with Italian giants Carrera, resulting in a pair of sunglasses inspired by 70s ski goggles. The arms of which can be swapped out with an elastic strap, for those brave enough to risk their DSquared2 glasses on the slopes.

Despite it being another quintessentially eye-catching show from beginning to end, the moment that had everyone talking was the runway debut of Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams. The 24-year-old actor opened and closed the show in a typically Canadian double-denim look and a pair of western-inspired snow boots.

This latest offering from the Caten twins was a high-impact celebration of winter style, blending 70s nostalgia with the signature DSquared2 sporty inspirations and styling bravado. No one is better at getting eyes on a show than the Catens, and this season’s combination of bold looks and pop-culture relevance delivered wonderfully on their playful and frost-bitten vision.