Dean and Dan Caten went pragmatic for resort, trading their riotous mashups for “something more straightforward.” Minimalism will never be their darling, yet resort was probably the closest they’ve come so far to a pared-down look.
“Where am I going, what do I need?” was the question framing the Catens’ mindset, a preoccupation somehow reflective of today’s fashion, where creativity often takes on a problem-solving nuance. Fancy some corpcore à la Dsquared2? Just toss a tailored blazer over cargo shorts and a sexy bralette, or pair it with a strapless leather minidress. “Our girls, they own their look,” said the Catens. No doubt about it. Everyday urban uniforms for guys were on the same laidback wavelength, augmented with a hint of brash; sporty and tailored separates were imbued with cool—think ripped and faded denims and herringbone field jackets, bombers in military green structured nylon, and streamlined anoraks/overcoats giving off a sartorial vibe.
The Canadian outdoors is never far from the Catens’ imagination, and hiking adventures on weekends were again on the agenda this season. The designers riffed on their repertoire of grungy, vintage casual wear; an Invicta collaboration from fall 2022 was revamped for both genders: stonewashed T-shirts, hooded sweats, backpacks, and belt bags were emblazoned with washed and faded co-logos. Elsewhere, check shirts, denim jackets belted over slouchy low-rise chinos, patched oversized cargos, and roomy shorts made for a feisty campsite parade.
Seamlessly transitioning from Canadian hiking trails to the red carpet comes easy for the Caten twins, who are notorious party lovers. Evening for them is a hot, slinky affair. Sleek brocade tuxes, crystal-studded denims, and western shirts in sheer black chiffon with lace inserts inflected guys’ looks with a “midnight cowboy twang”; girls were given a siren vibe, with black-and-white taut tailoring, sleek minidresses, and provocative floor-length one-shouldered gowns. It’s the Catens’ version of “modern black-tie glamour.”