MILAN, Jan 18, 2006/ FW/ --- Sometimes on a cold and frosty mid-week morning you need more than strong black Milanese espresso to get you going and Dsquared is probably as close as fashion gets to a sugar coated caffeine rush.

This time out Dean & Dan Caten’s anarchic irreverence was turned fairly and squarely on the English upper classes as the brand’s customary denim was combined with top hats, waistcoats and polo attire in a show fusing high society and street wear, or as they put it, champagne and beer.

The opening silhouette said it all with distressed jeans, sporting six-inch turn-ups, mixed with top hat, cane, fitted black jacket, silk cravat and red satin sash. Equestrianism, Royal Ascot and ambassador’s receptions were also on the agenda as riding boots, bowler hats and military medals all got the Caten treatment.

Tweed jackets and tartan shirts worn with neck ties and waistcoats came with the ubiquitous hipster jeans, or elsewhere a purple velvet smoking jacket, complete with pipe accessory, topped a tone on tone blue shirt, waistcoat and bowtie combination.

Leather featured also with slim fitting blood red jackets or waistcoats appearing and deep green overcoats and low slung pants contrasting with the woollen cardigans and public schoolboy scarves which were also present.

All that had been missing so far was a queen and then three came along at once as Brittany Murphy, resplendent in a diamond-studded tiara, joined the boys on the runway for a glammed-up finale.

To say that it was all a bit over the top would be to indulge in the most English of pastimes - understatement. That would be missing the point however as it was just the boys doing what they know best – the serious business of having a good time.

Dsquared – the most fun you can have with your clothes? Right on!

DSquared²

DSquared²

DSquared²

DSquared²