by Becca Shrimpton

Recently, Ryerson University’s Faculty of Communication and Design held a Q&A session with Dean and Dan Caten of the iconic Canadian fashion label Dsquared2 in the heart of downtown Toronto. The audience, made up of young fashion students from around the city, was given the opportunity to ask the two designers whatever came to mind after experiencing an interview with the choice moderator of the event, arguably the most influential woman in Canadian fashion, Jeanne Beker.

The 250 privileged students filling the auditorium from both Ryerson’s School of Fashion and Humber College’s established Fashion Arts program just about freaked out when they saw Jeanne emerge from the covered entranceway, with identical twins Dean and Dan following closely behind. The recognizable host of Fashion Television caused her major fan base in the room to snap photos uncontrollably and gossip about her low-cut dress. Though the event was meant to showcase the masterminds behind Dsquared2, it was obvious that Jeanne was the main attraction for this stylish crowd.

The show wasn’t totally stolen, though; Dean and Dan’s humour and charm quickly drew back all the attention as the audience took in every word of advice and point of information that the designers had to share about themselves and their collections. The key words that the guys made sure to repeat to the young aspiring fashion designers and businesspeople in the room was to “go with your heart” in everything you dream of doing in your career. Believe in your own vision and believe in yourself; “If you believe in yourself, other people will believe in you.” And most importantly, don’t be someone you’re not.

It’s obvious to look at the collections of Dsquared2 and see that the designers are not pretending to be anyone else but themselves, as their clothes truly reflect their self-proclaimed personalities, fun and real. Such successful guys should have their advice taken to heart, and it wouldn’t be hard to believe that most of the students in the room left with a little more confidence and motivation at the end of the event. That, and a full memory card on their cameras after catching Dean (or Dan?) on a smoke break outside of the AMC Theater and playing paparazzi for the rest of the afternoon.