Dsquared2 Partners with Photographer Tom Bianchi for Pre-Spring 2026 Collection Celebrating Fire Island Queer History

Canadian fashion house Dsquared2, founded by twins Dean and Dan Caten, has launched a collaboration with photographer Tom Bianchi for its Pre-Spring 2026 collection, also referred to as Resort 2026 in some coverage. The partnership centers on Bianchi's renowned Polaroid series documenting life among gay men in New York’s queer communities, particularly on Fire Island Pines, taken between 1975 and 1983.

Fire Island Pines served as a vital refuge for queer men during this era, offering a space for openness, connection, and intimacy amid broader societal risks for visibility. Bianchi's photographs capture everyday moments of joy, closeness, and celebration in this countercultural haven, evoking a pre-HIV/AIDS period of sexual autonomy and collective freedom for gay communities.

The Dsquared2 collection integrates these original images directly onto garments and accessories without reinterpretation, preserving their historical integrity while adapting them for modern wear. Prints appear on casual silhouettes including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, swimwear, shorts, and lightweight outerwear like zip-front jackets, designed with simple cuts to emphasize comfort and movement. Accessories feature playful elements such as mesh caps, boonie hats, oversized shopping bags, and trompe-l’œil clutches mimicking rolled-up erotic magazines, nodding to the candid and provocative spirit of Bianchi's work.

The collection is unisex, available for both men and women, aligning with Dsquared2's history of drawing inspiration from queer pioneers and communities that champion individuality and rebellion. Bold 1970s-style typography in faded red and yellow complements the white-washed bases of the pieces, enhancing their beach-to-street versatility. One highlighted item includes a T-shirt with a muscled torso reclining poolside, echoed on shopper bags, evoking 1980s leisure.

Dean and Dan Caten's choice reflects their brand's commitment to countercultural iconography and self-expression, themes resonant in Bianchi's documentation of queer life. Coverage emphasizes how the images' messages of freedom, belonging, and community endure, speaking to contemporary LGBTQ+ audiences amid ongoing conversations about queer history and visibility. This collaboration revives a pivotal chapter of gay history through wearable art, bridging past resilience with present-day affirmation for transgender people, gay men, and broader queer communities seeking representation in fashion.