Rick Owens
Rick Owens
Step into the world of Rick Owens, the 'Lord of Darkness' in fashion, renowned for his avant-garde designs, architectural silhouettes, and rebellious vision of luxury.
Rick Owens
Los Angeles, USA
1994
Rick Owens is the lord of darkness in luxury fashion. Known for his 'glunge' (glamour + grunge) aesthetic, his brand is a brutalist, architectural monument to the beauty of imperfection.
Creative Director: Rick Owens
Signature Elements: The Geobasket sneaker, dropped crotch shorts, draped leather jackets, and elongated, monastic silhouettes.
Founder
History
Founded in 1994 in Los Angeles, Rick Owens began by selling bespoke pieces to retailers like Charles Gallay. His breakthrough came when Kate Moss appeared in one of his leather jackets in Vogue Paris. In 2003, he moved to Paris, solidifying his status as a global avant-garde icon. The brand remains fiercely independent.
Brand Philosophy
'I would like to lay a black glitter turd on the white landscape of conformity.' Owens values the darker, wilder sides of humanity, brute elegance, and a rejection of standard beauty norms.
Major Milestones
- 1994: Brand founded in LA.
- 2002: First runway show in New York.
- 2003: Relocated to Paris.
- 2005: Introduction of the furniture line.
Timeline
Founded
1994-01-01
Rick Owens launches his label.
Vicious
2014-09-01
The stepping team show breaks the internet.
Current Status
Rick Owens continues to be a singular force, producing highly conceptual runway shows and cultivating a dedicated global tribe from his fortress in Concordia, Italy.
Key Collections
Vicious (SS 2014)
Featured a stepping team performing a synchronized routine, challenging the lack of diversity and body types on the runway.
Trivia
- Rick Owens has a life-sized wax statue of himself in his stores, and he intends to be buried in his own furniture.
Cultural Impact
Rick Owens created a distinct subculture in fashion. His influence on streetwear (the long-line tee, the luxury sneaker) and avant-garde design is immeasurable.
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