Twins double up as force in world of high fashion

A range of Dsquared2 attire designed by Dan and Dean Caten

NEW YORK -- Dan and Dean Caten are loving the limelight.

The twin brothers behind the Dsquared2 fashion label have created concert looks for Madonna and Britney Spears.

They'll outfit performers, too, for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

This year, the brothers received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame -- becoming the only fashion designers honored alongside the likes of Michael J. Fox and Wayne Gretzky.

And they have a collection of branded MAC cosmetics as well as eyewear and fragrance deals.

They are as close personally, meanwhile, as they are professionally.

"We are twins in every sense of the word," said Dan, describing himself as the more approachable of the two.

They have remained close since their 1964 birth in Willowdale, Ontario -- and have wanted to work in fashion almost as long, Dean said.

Family life was as ordinary as it could be in a household with nine children, but he and Dan always had an eye on a bigger picture -- one that would take them to New York; Milan, Italy; and London.

"It was normal people, growing up, just not us," Dean said. "We didn't quite fit in, but it was still fun."

Dan added: "With five sisters, though, we did a lot of shopping, dressed them for a lot of proms and parties -- and we dressed them! We could do it on a budget, which allowed us to be more creative; and they trusted us because they knew we knew better than them."