Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams opens Dsquared2 show, and steals the spotlight

Hudson Williams is clearly having a moment - and now, that moment has officially reached Milan. The Heated Rivalry star made his runway debut at Milan Fashion Week, opening Dsquared2’s latest show and instantly turning heads.The 24-year-old Canadian actor stepped out in a rugged mix of denim and leather as snow fell around him, setting the tone for a show that leaned heavily into cold-weather bravado. The collection played with winter extremes - think sport, speed, and attitude all rolled into one - and Williams fit right into that energy.If the clothes felt hockey-coded, that wasn’t a coincidence. Dsquared2’s latest lineup was packed with oversized puffers, bold outerwear, and pieces built for icy conditions, making it a natural match for Williams, who’s riding high after his breakout role as pro hockey player Shane Hollander. His rise has been fast, and fashion seems eager to keep up.For Dsquared2’s founders Dean and Dan Caten, the show was also a return to familiar territory. The Canadian designers leaned into their roots, pulling inspiration from winter sports, performance gear, and protective silhouettes. Oversized parkas swallowed tailored looks, padded vests brought a rebellious edge, and leather trousers added just the right amount of swagger.This runway moment marks Williams’ first real step into high fashion since Heated Rivalry premiered - and it’s safe to say he didn’t arrive quietly. Earlier this week, he also made waves at the 2026 Golden Globes, where he presented alongside co-star Connor Storrie. The duo dominated red carpet conversations, with both landing multiple top spots on industry power rankings, a clear sign of their growing influence.Since the series took off, Williams and Storrie have been everywhere - awards shows, pre-parties, and industry events - becoming one of the most talked-about new pairings in entertainment.Heated Rivalry, which streams on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the US, is based on Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers book series. The show follows two fictional hockey rivals, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose intense on-ice competition slowly gives way to a secret, emotionally charged relationship that unfolds over the course of their careers.And the story isn’t over yet. Rachel Reid recently announced a new book, Unrivaled, set to continue Shane and Ilya’s journey - keeping fans, much like Hudson Williams himself, firmly in the spotlight.