Born in Canada, the twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten moved to New York in 1983 to attend the Parson’s School of Design. Only staying one term, the brothers left and decided to return to Toronto. Securing a financial backer in 1986, they launched their first womenswear collection ‘DEanDAN’. Two years later they were signed onto the label Ports International as creative directors, aiming to update the company. During this time Dean and Dan were designing a low-end brand, Tabi International.