D-mop, Comme des Garçons, Martin Margiela, Billionaire Boys Club, and Hoods Hong Kong have a new neighbor. DSquared2 recently opened the doors to their new flagship store in the former Diesel space on On Lan Street in Central.
Founded by Canadian twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten, the pair moved to Italy in 1991 to pursue their dream of launching their own fashion label. Fast forward seventeen years and the brothers are international sensations, known for making clothing that combines Italian elegance with their Canadian roots.
Similar to how Ralph Lauren embraced elements of Americana in his work, instead of an American flag, the duo adds the Canadian Maple leaf to certain pieces.
In my casual glance around the two-level flagship space, I spotted several interesting items that evoke their Canadian sensibilities while paying homage to Italian fashion prowess. (Hong Kong is one of only a handful of cities to host a Dsquared2 flagship store. Milan, Capri, Kiev and Istanbul are the others.)
Even the design of the shop seems to be a combination of their dual identities. While most of the store features contemporary touches, the upstairs changing rooms have a warmer, cozier vibe and include something like a ski lodge decor with faux fireplaces!
The shop itself sells clever re-workings of items that combine their Canadian origins with their flare for finely tailored Italian luxury. A good example would be their clunky Canadian boots which look as if they’ve been given an elegant makeover.
Aside from fashion, the twins are also known to put their creative flair into staging elaborate shows and events. Hong Kong party-goers still remember the event from a few years back when they transformed a space into a diner with roller-skating waitresses!
Needless to say that fashion hounds are anxiously anticipating their event on October 17th to mark the official Dsquared2 Hong Kong opening.
Dsquared2Â’ address:
G/F, 4-6 On Lan Street
Central, Hong Kong
