TORONTO - Identical-twin fashion designers Dean and Dan Caten rule over a fashion empire that spans the globe, receive kudos from stars including Madonna, and will soon be inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

Their latest accolade has them reflecting on how far they've come, after growing up with seven siblings in a low-income home in the Toronto suburb of Willowdale.

"We had no money," said Dan Caten, one half of the smash Dsquared2 label, over the phone recently from a beach in Mykonos, Greece, where he and his brother were taking a rare vacation.

"We were poor and my dad was a ... welder and we were nine kids and we had no mother. And my dad said: 'Oh, you'll be a welder and you'll be in a union and you'll make $12 an hour,"' he recalled.

"I'm like: 'Dad, I don't want to be a welder. I want to do something else' ... and then I got a (fashion) job and they were like: 'No you can't do that, you can't move to Europe,' and everybody was saying 'No."'

But the twins were determined and in 1991, they set up shop in Milan, Italy, where their father was born.

They went on to create clothing lines for men and women; stitch threads for celebrities including Madonna, Britney Spears and Ricky Martin; open stores around the world; and produce fragrances and an eyewear line.

"We come from nothing and we built up our (company) and we knocked it out," said Dan Caten.

Sometimes their Canadian nationality is woven into their designs, including their spring/summer 2010 collection, which was inspired by memories of camping in Algonguin Park in Ontario.

They also plan to sketch outfits for the talent in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

"We've been waving our flag," said Dean Caten. "And when your country acknowledges it and makes such a beautiful dedication to you, I think it's a beautiful thing."

Legendary songstress Anne Murray, who was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998, will host next Saturday's gala at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Other inductees this year include comedian Howie Mandel, rocker Tom Cochrane, children's author Robert Munsch and the late "Perry Mason" actor Raymond Burr.

Actress Kim Cattrall is also being recognized, as are rockers Blue Rodeo and wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc.

"It's the hugest award that we've received so far," said Dean Caten.

"It's an inspiration for all young Canadians: The sky's the limit, you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it. It doesn't matter where you come from, it's where you want to go."

The Catens say most of their siblings will be at the gala, cheering them on as they're presented with Walk of Fame stars destined for a sidewalk in the city's downtown entertainment district.

"I want to be on the sidewalk," said Dan Caten.

"I love that because I know that the days that I'm long and gone, my star is going to still be there, shining, and people can still walk all over me so they can remember that I made a difference in my life and I made a difference to my country."