MILAN – The Canadian-helmed label DSquared2 is facing a backlash over a new fashion line that was being marketed with the name #dsquaw.
Toronto-born twin designers Dean and Dan Caten, who are behind the Milan-based label, unveiled their latest collection at the city’s Fashion Week on Monday night.
A series of posts on the duo’s Twitter page and the label’s Instagram page made use of the hashtag #dsquaw in reference to the new line.
The hashtag – which is a play on the label name – incorporates a term offensive to aboriginal women.
The posts have since been deleted.
Several Twitter users expressed anger at the use of the term, with some even asking retailers not to purchase items from DSquared2’s new line – and threatening to boycott stores that do.
On DSquared2’s website, the description to the collection opens with the sentence:
“The enchantment of Canadian Indian tribes. The confident attitude of the British aristocracy.”
It goes on to describe the new line as a “captivating play on contrasts: an ode to America’s native tribes meets the noble spirit of Old Europe.”
Emails sent to media representatives for DSquared2 requesting comment were not immediately returned.
At the helm of DSquared2 for two decades, the award-winning Catens have achieved significant international success. They’ve also been honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
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