Hudson Williams is continuing his post–Heated Rivalry victory lap, this time on one of fashion’s biggest stages. The breakout star made his official runway debut Friday at Milan Fashion Week, opening Dsquared2’s Fall 2026 show with the kind of confidence that suggests he’s already memorized where the cameras live.
The appearance comes on the heels of Williams’ much-discussed Golden Globes look, where he leaned into exposed tailoring and high jewelry without a hint of hesitation. Milan, however, marked his first time stepping into a full fashion production, no red carpet pause required.
A Canadian Connection on Italian Ground
Williams, a British Columbia native, was a natural fit for Dsquared2, the Milan-based label founded by Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten. Known for blending pop spectacle with athletic references, the brand has a history of folding celebrity culture directly into its runway shows rather than keeping it seated in the front row.
Past Dsquared2 productions have included appearances by major music and fashion figures, and the label’s resume stretches well beyond the catwalk. The Catens have designed performance wardrobes for global tours and televised events, positioning the house at the intersection of costume, celebrity, and camp.
The Internet Clocked It Immediately
Fans of Heated Rivalry, a series that has inspired intense online devotion, picked up on Williams’ involvement before the show even began. A fleeting background shot in a Dsquared2 Instagram reel revealed a casting board with his headshot, which was enough to set off speculation across social platforms.
By showtime, anticipation had already peaked.
Hockey, But Make It Fashion
Dsquared2’s runway transformed into a stylized winter arena, complete with icy steps, snow-dusted evergreens, and graphic nods to Canada’s maple leaf. Williams opened the show wearing coated denim, winter boots accented with red detailing, and a layered top constructed from multiple textures fused into a single piece.
Leading the procession gave Williams immediate visibility, but the look itself anchored the collection’s theme, sportswear filtered through theatrical styling rather than literal uniforms.
The finale leaned fully into spectacle. Dean and Dan Caten appeared riding atop two shirtless models, each wearing Dsquared2 hockey jerseys in the brand’s signature colors. It was absurd, deliberate, and entirely on-brand.
Clearing Up the Rumors
As Milan Fashion Week unfolded, online chatter suggested Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie might also appear on a runway. Those reports turned out to be incorrect. Representatives for Storrie confirmed he was not involved in any Milan shows, putting the speculation to rest.
What Comes Next
Williams’ runway debut signals a growing comfort within fashion spaces that extend beyond styling moments or front-row invites. Whether this leads to more catwalk appearances remains to be seen, but his Milan walk positioned him as more than a screen presence.
For now, one thing is clear: Hudson Williams didn’t just show up, he opened the show.
