From the Canadian design duo that once delivered a lumberjack-inspired collection complete with matching his-and-hers fur trapper hats, for this season, the pair robbed the reigning U.S. cheerleading squad of their pom poms for their Milan Fashion Week Show.
Set against the backdrop of a New York artist’s downtown loft, Dsquard2’s colorful show featured more silk raffia than the gift-wrapping counter at Saks over the holidays.
Showcasing their knack for making kooky cool, the designers created a suite of looks with a voluminous twist, such as a sunburnt yellow full ball skirt paired with a simple white tee.
A powder blue raffia mini looked right at home with a kaleidoscopic embellished cropped jacket while a powder puff-sized strapless magenta top covered barely-there popping short shorts.
Taking their inspiration from famous artists Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein, the world of the ‘how do they live in a $5000-a month loft and draw all day’ visionary shone through in a floor length structured skirt covered in a pop-art ‘90s style swirl of circle prints, while the designers’ ability to mix high with low was evidenced by a floor-length skirt of scalloped plissé paired with a cropped denim jacket.
Hats were noticeably absent this season but the focus was all on the feet, with one of the final looks featuring a pair of thigh-high gladiator sandals with gold embellishments, which were a perfect match with a gold leather biker jacket and raffia covered black bag.
Beadwork was also key, featuring on everything, from slouchy pants to short shorts to sweatshirts and reams of plissé.
The show made a departure from the sort of ladies who lunch you might see on display at MOMA to visit the cool kids at Brooklyn Bowls through a series of cameo, army-inspired embellished separates in shades of khaki and blue – relaxed-fit pants dresses up a grey tee, while cameo leggings under shorts paired with a white crop top gave the show an athletic twist.
Letting the world know that Dsquared2’s Dean and Dan Caten mean business were nerdy black reading glasses, which were worn throughout.
While the rainbow of raffia featured throughout the show’s bubblegum mix was a welcomed addition to the designers’ always delightful lineup, we doubt the cheerleaders they stole from are too worried – they are probably still scratching their heads in an attempt to understand the label’s name.
