RICK OWENS
Rick Owens is the unlikely American Fashion Designer; far from the Ralph Lauren’s of the world, who’s classic sportswear has come to define the wholesome American dream; Owens’ vision rather, offers an introspective insight into the darker elements of nature and of man and it is often thought, into Owens himself.
To the rest of the world Owens strikes a mysterious figure, a slender - softly spoken Californian native; an intellectual no doubt, with working ties to some of the most esteemed models in the world and yet no one embodies the aesthetic of Rick Owens more than the man himself. His trademark long locks and a self perpetuating uniform of black, monotones and shades of Grey, cloaked over white sneakers often draws critical comparisons to that ominous figure of the death: the Grim Reaper.
This comes as no surprise to the New York times, with it’s own Alexander Fury observing that Owens is like “a prophet of the apocalypse” quoting mostly “on topics such as death, renewal (and) creation”. And yet he is generally considered to be fair, considerate and pushing sentiments that promote positivity and acceptance in his dealings outside of the catwalk.
But beyond the presence we see backstage, it is the unique techniques and deft craftsmanship that have come to define Rick Owens and for that matter the many designers within his field of influence. Best known for his brand of “glunge” a combination of grunge and glamour that offers casual otherworldly elegance, Owens is a man with more than a few tricks up his leather sleeve.
He is a prolific designer, producing collections seasonally for his main and diffusion lines for men and women bending the gender lines with his own brand of controversy. But it is his distressed materials and asymmetric leather jackets worn by the likes of Kate Moss that have catapulted him to the halls of fashion royalty.
FILM BY PAUL G ROBERTS
EDITED BY LANI RIGBY
RENEGADES OF FASHION - NEW 11 PART NETFLIX FEATURE FILM SERIES
CREATED BY PAUL G ROBERTS
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To the casual outsider the Fashion Industry can appear to be a cauldron of creativity with endless innovation and risk taking, as every new season designers have to forget their past successes and milestones and return alone to a blank canvas, to create their next collection, and this cycle repeats itself every 6 months. Granted there are principles, codes, legends and motifs that inform a designer’s agency, but essentially it’s starting over.
Even if you hold only the most casual interest in the world of fashion, it’s hard to deny the fascinating life stories of every person we have chosen to showcase in this Series.
Starring:
REI KAWAKUBO
HEDI SLIMANE
KENZO TAKADA
ISSEY MIYAKE
JEREMY SCOTT
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
RICK OWENS
JOHN GALLIANO
MALCOLM MCLAREN
MUGLER
VIRGIL ABLOH
NICOLA FORMICHETTI
15 май 2022
