After 20 years, Dan and Dean Caten, twin brothers from Canada, still rock the Milan fashion scene with their unapologetically sexy runway shows, larger-than-life personalities and now-infamous late-night parties in glamorous destinations. During a recent trip to New York to host the grand opening of their new Dsquared2 store in SoHo, the pair agreed to slow down long enough to answer a few questions about some of their deepest, darkest secrets.
What’s the secret of eternal youth?
Dean: A celebrity dermatologist.
Dan: Good skin product.
What’s the secret of timeless style?
Dean: Inside you. It’s built in. You either have it or you don’t.
Dan: Keeping it simple.
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What’s the secret of throwing a good party?
Dean: Great friends, a good mix of a crowd is important, a good mix of music and lots of Champagne.
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What’s the secret to fitting into sample size?
Dean: There’s no secret — you either are or you aren’t. We’re running constantly and we’re late all the time.
Dan: Eat heavier in the morning.
What’s the secret of a perfectly fitting jean?
Dan: Knowing your body and knowing which jeans to choose for your body. It’s in the cut of the jean and it’s also in your shape. With your body, you should know what works for you.
Dean: We have five different models in our denim. There’s the Dean fit for soccer players because it’s bigger in the thigh. There’s a cool guy fit and a baby brother fit. We name them all on the back so you can always come back to that fit.
What’s the secret to your good business partnership?
Dan: Communication and knowing stuff. You have to always talk to each other and share.
What’s the secret to good drag?
Dan: Preparation, hours and hours of labor. If you’re young, a close shave and not too much foundation. If you’re older, a closer shave and tons of foundation. When we were young, we could get away with just powder.
What’s the secret to two young kids from Toronto moving to Milan and building a business that has lasted 20 years?
Dean: Back to Madonna, it is the “Twin Ambition.”
Dan: It’s drive and having nothing to lose.
What’s the secret of the perfect runway collection?
Dan: Balance, cohesiveness, a statement, overall fluidity from one look to the next that harmonize and come out of a whole.
Dean: As a collection.
What’s your deepest secret?
Dean: If we told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.
Dan: It just got…much deeper.