MILAN, Jun 27, 2006/ FW/ --- When it comes to DSquared you either like it or you don’t but there is no denying that they have their market and they are quite happy to cater for it. In fact, judging from their shows, they are positively ecstatic to cater for it and go about doing so with the verve, humor and good natured sense of fun that bear all the hallmarks of people doing what they love.

This time around, the theme was the locker room and all and sundry were encouraged to break a sweat, buff up and flaunt their newly acquired muscles. Yes, sports were firmly on the agenda as the stage set featured models pumping iron among the lockers as others cooled off in the showers. With all the flesh on display, it was potentially a steamy affair and with one hundred degree plus temperatures outside cooling off was the order of the day even for those of us left un-aroused by a bulging bicep.

The show opened with a pair of low-slung red leather training pants and silk tracksuit tops were in evidence, white with bold blue and red stripes. Shorts were a feature of the collection and ranged from a formal safari style with mini cummerbund buckle fastening to trunks that varied from the small to the very small: that the designers themselves were describing them as bikini briefs says it all really.

Continuing in the vein of the winter collection however, the casual was mixed with the very formal as denim shorts were paired with short sleeved tuxedo shirts, or low hanging jeans mixed with crisp high-collared shirts, a prim tie tucked in just below the neckline.

Suits were also prominent with a three buttoned charcoal number for example – the jacket cropped and the sleeves cut short to reveal the fine stripes of a preppy shirt. Perhaps this was to prove that you couldn’t spend your whole life in the gym; you’ve got to do something to pay the membership right?

DSquared²

DSquared²

DSquared²

DSquared²