Rick Owens stands as a key figure in modern fashion. His designs break norms and inspire countless creators. This article dives into Owens' life, career, and impact on the fashion world.
Early Life and Career
Picture by Ola Rindal
Born in 1961 in Porterville, California, Rick Owens grew up with a love for art and design. His father worked as a social worker, while his mother was a teacher. This middle-class upbringing in a conservative town would later influence his rebellious approach to fashion.
Owens studied fine arts at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles but left before graduating. He found the structured environment stifling to his creativity. After leaving school, Owens worked various jobs, including a stint at a knockoff fashion company. This experience proved invaluable, teaching him the ins and outs of garment construction and pattern-making.
In the early 1990s, Owens began experimenting with his own designs. He started small, selling his creations to a select group of boutiques in Los Angeles. These early pieces already showed signs of the distinctive style that would later make him famous.
Who is Rick Owens Married To?
Picture by Joe Schildhorn
Rick Owens' wife is Michèle Lamy, a designer and artist in her own right. Lamy plays a key role in Owens' life and work. The couple met in Los Angeles in the 1990s and have been together since.
Lamy, born in 1944, is known for her distinctive appearance, featuring gold teeth and tattooed fingers. She's a multifaceted creative force, with experience in law, cabaret performance, and fashion design.
In the Rick Owens brand, Lamy helps manage the business side and contributes to its creative direction. She's particularly involved in the furniture line, overseeing its production. Owens often refers to Lamy as his muse, and her influence can be seen in many aspects of his work.
Rick Owens' Signature Style
Owens' style is known for its dark, grunge-glamour look. He uses muted colors, mainly black, gray, and white. His clothes often feature:
- Asymmetrical cuts
- Draping fabrics
- Leather jackets
- Long, flowing silhouettes
- Raw edges and unfinished hems
- Mix of high-end and street style elements
These elements create a unique, edgy style that sets Owens apart in the fashion world. His designs often blur the lines between genders, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity in clothing.
Owens draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including architecture, brutalism, and ancient Egyptian art. He's also influenced by subcultures like punk and goth, which is evident in the dark, rebellious nature of his designs.
Major Milestones in Rick Owens' Career
Owens launched his namesake label in 1994. Initially, he sold his designs exclusively to Charles Gallay, a high-end Los Angeles retailer. His breakthrough came in 2001 when American Vogue featured his work, with Kate Moss wearing one of his leather jackets.
This exposure led to his first runway show in New York in 2002, which was sponsored by Vogue and Style.com. The show was a critical success, cementing Owens' place in the fashion world.
Since then, Owens has achieved numerous milestones:
- Won the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent in 2002
- Appointed artistic director of French fur company Revillon in 2003
- Launched his furniture line in 2007
- Collaborated with brands like Adidas, Birkenstock, and Converse
- Opened flagship stores in Paris, London, New York, and other major cities
Each of these achievements has helped to solidify Owens' status as a fashion icon and expand his brand's reach.
Rick Owens' Impact on the Fashion Industry
Owens' influence extends far beyond his own brand. His designs have inspired countless other creators and changed how we think about fashion. Celebrities often wear his clothes on red carpets, bringing his unique style to a wider audience.
Owens' impact can be seen in several areas:
- Aesthetic: His dark, minimalist style has influenced many designers and has become a recognizable look in high fashion.
- Sustainability: Owens often uses eco-friendly materials and promotes a "buy less, buy better" philosophy, influencing the industry's approach to sustainability.
- Gender fluidity: His designs often blur gender lines, contributing to the growing trend of gender-neutral fashion.
- Show concepts: Owens is known for his unconventional runway shows, which often incorporate performance art elements.
Rick Owens' Brand and Business
The Rick Owens brand has grown significantly since its inception. Today, it includes:
- Ready-to-wear clothing for men and women
- Accessories like bags, shoes, and jewelry
- Furniture
- Fragrances
Owens' products are sold in high-end stores worldwide and through his own boutiques in fashion capitals like Paris, New York, London, and Tokyo. The brand is known for its high-quality materials and craftsmanship, which justifies its luxury price point.
Despite its growth, the Rick Owens brand remains independently owned. This allows Owens to maintain creative control and stay true to his unique vision.
Rick Owens' Philosophy and Artistic Vision
Owens sees fashion as a form of self-expression. He believes in creating clothes that empower the wearer. In his words, "Working out is modern couture. No outfit is going to make you look or feel as good as having a fit body. Buy less clothing and go to the gym instead."
This quote encapsulates much of Owens' philosophy:
- Emphasis on personal strength and confidence
- Rejection of fast fashion and overconsumption
- Belief in the power of self-improvement
Owens' designs often challenge conventional notions of beauty and luxury. He embraces imperfection and raw edges, both in his designs and in his broader worldview.
In interviews, Owens has spoken about his desire to create a complete world through his designs. This extends beyond clothing to include furniture, fragrance, and even his runway shows, which often feel like immersive art installations.
Conclusion
Rick Owens is more than a fashion designer; he's an artist who challenges norms and pushes boundaries.
From his California roots to his status as a fashion icon, Owens has maintained his unique vision. His dark glamour, architectural shapes, and gender-fluid designs have reshaped the fashion landscape. Together with his wife and muse, Michèle Lamy, Owens continues to influence both established designers and newcomers.
For those inspired by Owens' avant-garde creations, BALTINI offers a curated selection of his designs. Known for competitive pricing, authenticity guarantees, and free worldwide shipping, BALTINI provides an accessible entry point into the world of Rick Owens.
Experience the power of Owens' fashion for yourself.
