A Journey Through Iconic Fashion Eras and Their Influences
Fashion
Oct 11
The Top 10 Milestones of Rick Owens’ Revolutionary Fashion Career
Fashion
Oct 10
Rick Owens is a name synonymous with avant-garde fashion, bold designs, and an aesthetic that challenges conventional beauty. Known as the “Lord of Darkness” in the fashion world, Owens' career is a fascinating journey of rebellion, innovation, and artistic defiance. From a humble beginning in California to becoming one of the most influential designers in the world, here are the top 10 milestones in Rick Owens' iconic fashion career.
Rick Owens’ career officially began in 1994 when he launched his eponymous label in Los Angeles. This first milestone set the stage for his dark, minimalist vision to take root. Owens’ early collections, primarily composed of distressed leather jackets, draped tops, and edgy silhouettes, reflected a unique blend of grunge and glamour, catering to the rebellious youth of the time. His vision was to create clothing that blended the aesthetic of L.A. street culture with high fashion.
Compelling Detail: Owens operated out of a small studio and his first collections were sold exclusively to Charles Gallay, a local retailer with a taste for the avant-garde. At this stage, Owens was hand-sewing many of his pieces, driven by his commitment to craftsmanship and a raw, unpolished aesthetic.
Owens’ career took a monumental leap when French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld featured his designs in the magazine in 2001. This exposure thrust Owens into the international spotlight, garnering attention from the fashion elite. His distinctive style—characterized by draped fabrics, muted tones, and an almost monastic silhouette—stood out in a fashion world still dominated by polished glamour and bright colors.
Compelling Detail: Roitfeld’s support of Owens was so significant that she personally styled his early collections for editorial spreads. This stamp of approval from such a powerful fashion figure positioned Owens as a serious force to be reckoned with in the industry.
In 2002, Owens won the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Emerging Talent Award. This recognition gave him not only industry credibility but also the financial backing to further develop his brand. The award marked his official transition from underground designer to recognized fashion talent.
Compelling Detail: Owens accepted the award with characteristic humility and dark humor, stating that his designs weren’t meant to please everyone but were an extension of his own artistic identity. It was a moment that reflected both his rebellious nature and his devotion to staying true to his vision.
After winning the CFDA Award, Owens relocated to Paris, the global capital of fashion. His first Paris Fashion Week show in 2003 was a defining moment. Paris brought with it not only more visibility but also a different level of creative freedom. Owens’ collections began to incorporate more refined tailoring, complex drapery, and his signature gothic aesthetic took on an even more avant-garde form.
Compelling Detail: Owens famously stated that Paris offered him "the space to be decadent." His relocation allowed him to broaden his creative horizons and attract a new clientele who were drawn to his blend of luxury and darkness. This marked the moment when his brand moved from niche to internationally revered.
In 2005, Owens expanded his empire by launching DRKSHDW, a diffusion line that brought his aesthetic to a more casual, accessible realm. This line, focusing on denim and ready-to-wear, allowed his fans to access his designs at a lower price point without compromising the signature dark edge of his main collection.
Compelling Detail: DRKSHDW’s designs became an instant success, particularly among younger fans. The line included oversized denim jackets, raw-edged jeans, and distressed sneakers—items that became iconic in the world of street fashion, paving the way for Owens' influence in contemporary streetwear.
Never content to limit himself to fashion, Owens branched out into furniture design in 2007, creating pieces that mirrored the brutalist, minimalist aesthetic of his clothing. His furniture collection included pieces like alabaster beds, marble benches, and ox bone chairs. This expansion showcased Owens' multidisciplinary artistic vision, proving that his aesthetic transcended clothing and could inhabit spaces as well as wardrobes.
Compelling Detail: Owens’ furniture pieces are as sought-after as his fashion, often selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each piece reflects his fascination with ancient civilizations and modern brutalism, blending art, architecture, and design in unexpected ways.
One of Owens' most talked-about and controversial shows was his Spring/Summer 2015 menswear collection, where he sent models down the runway wearing garments that exposed their genitals. This bold and defiant act of body liberation shocked the fashion world but also drew attention to the fluidity of Owens’ vision—pushing boundaries between clothing, body, and identity.
Compelling Detail: Rather than sensationalism, Owens viewed the nudity as part of his ongoing exploration of human form and its relationship with clothing. In his words, it was about "freedom, simplicity, and honesty," concepts that challenge the fashion industry’s often rigid boundaries.
In another dramatic and conceptual runway show, Owens’ Fall/Winter 2016 collection featured models wearing other models as human backpacks, symbolizing the weight of human relationships and the idea of carrying others through life. This show demonstrated Owens' ability to blend fashion with performance art, making his runway presentations some of the most anticipated events in the industry.
Compelling Detail: The imagery was both unsettling and profound, with models suspended in complex harnesses, emphasizing the power dynamics and dependency within human interactions. Owens once again showed that fashion, for him, is not just about clothing but about creating an emotional experience.
Rick Owens has been no stranger to collaborations, and his partnerships with brands like Adidas have been hugely influential. His 2017 collaboration with Birkenstock reimagined the iconic sandal, adding a gothic twist that made it a hit with both high-fashion audiences and streetwear enthusiasts. These collaborations brought Owens' aesthetic to a wider audience without compromising his avant-garde roots.
Compelling Detail: Owens transformed the utilitarian Birkenstock sandal into a cult object of desire. By merging high fashion with practical footwear, Owens once again demonstrated his ability to blur the lines between mainstream and underground, showing that even the most functional items can be elevated to high art.
Today, Rick Owens is not just a fashion designer; he is a cultural icon. His influence can be seen across the worlds of fashion, art, and music. In 2020, he was awarded the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, a recognition of his enduring impact on the industry. His cult following remains as devoted as ever, and his designs continue to push boundaries, blending gothic minimalism with luxurious construction.
Compelling Detail: Owens' influence extends far beyond fashion runways. He has become a muse for musicians, artists, and filmmakers, and his designs are regularly worn by celebrities like Kanye West, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. His work has reshaped the visual language of modern fashion, making him a figure whose legacy will endure long into the future.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Defiance and Innovation
Rick Owens' career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to artistic integrity, his boundary-pushing designs, and his relentless innovation. Each milestone in his journey reflects a fearless defiance of fashion norms and an unyielding pursuit of his unique vision. Whether through revolutionary runway shows or his multidisciplinary artistic projects, Owens has left an indelible mark on the fashion world—one that continues to inspire new generations of designers and creatives.
Owens’ legacy, much like his designs, is one of boldness, complexity, and a refusal to conform. His career is a celebration of individuality and artistic freedom, and these ten milestones highlight the depth and breadth of his contributions to the fashion world and beyond.
