Recently, Dsquared2 announced the termination of the franchise contract with Staff International SpA ahead of schedule (2027), effective immediately and applicable from the Pre-Spring 2026 campaign.
Staff International is a manufacturing company under the OTB Group – owner of famous brands such as Diesel, Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor & Rolf, and also the manufacturer of children’s clothing Brave Kid. OTB also holds a stake in the Amiri brand. The cooperation between Dsquared2 and Staff International began in 2000, when the two parties signed an agreement to produce and distribute a ready-to-wear fashion line.
However, Staff International did not accept this unilateral decision. In an official statement, the company said: “On March 27, we filed a lawsuit with the Milan Court against Grascoe Holdings Limited, Dsquared2 Trademarks Limited and the two designers Dean and Dan Caten, demanding full enforcement of the current franchise agreement, along with all relevant legal remedies.”
The franchise agreement between Staff International and Dsquared2 was renewed in 2010 for a 10-year term, running until 2027. At that time, the renewal agreement was signed one year before the expiration date.
Staff International asserted: “We believe that the franchise agreement is still valid and committed to fully implement it until its expiry as agreed. Therefore, the company firmly rejects any possibility of early termination of the contract and believes that this decision has no legal basis.”
The company also stressed that it will “act with the utmost transparency and determination to protect its rights, comply with contractual commitments, maintain its reputation and is ready to take further legal measures if necessary.”
This year, to mark the 30th anniversary of Dsquared2, the brand held a spectacular show in Milan last month to celebrate this important milestone.
Over the years, Dean and Dan Caten have drawn inspiration from their native Canada, combining a free-spirited spirit with Italian tailoring and sexy party designs. They maintain a playful, dynamic spirit in their collections, true to their motto of “work hard, play hard.”
Dsquared2’s first menswear collection debuted in 1995 under the name Homesick Canada Collection for Fall 1996. At the same time, they began presenting theatrical fashion shows in Milan. Their first womenswear collection debuted in 2003.