I think my favourite motif and also probably his most easily misunderstood is his references playing with the (hyper) masculine. The absurdly big power shoulders, the sunglasses, the furs on these muscular tall models, taken often at face value by the generaly very serious Rick enjoyer (the whole chad moment), yet is to me a criticism or at least a overexaggerated version of masculinity that was present or expected of him in his childhood (I don't remember what interview that was from :/) Posing the question what a man is and should become, never leaving out the juxtaposition of the vulnerability that his clothes provide as much as they convey power. This balance is what makes his designs stand out to me, the architectural lense and structural natur then becomes the medium he uses to deliver the message.
Rick has never really been my personal taste, but I respect him so much as a designer. His anti-fashion beginnings that followed in the footsteps of Yohji and Rei are obviously a link to his father's classical education and I just think that american/japanese contradiction in his work is so interesting. I also see a lot of Marina Abramovic in his work, which I think makes a lot of sense with his interest in conceptual and in some ways minimalistic art. I respect Rick so much because I can really understand his references on a more intellectual level, just true brilliance
Great video. I've been wearing rick since the late 2010. And you summerized up his style and motifs pretty well. You've earned a sub. Ps: The intro music worked PERFECTLY. 👏
I think as Rick ones mentioned he is really interested in art. Especially Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys. Joseph used a lot of natural elements in his art, mostly animal fat but also fur. For example In his Act “I like America and America likes me” he locked himself with a coyote in a room for 3 days. He just had a type of blanket and some other tools to protect himself and in the end he gained the coyotes trust. In his other art, called “explaining pictures to a dead hare” he is sitting on a chairs with a hare in his hands. His face just looks destroyed and demonic. The main thing in this picture now. Go look it up, and look at the shoes. Look at the lacing. The rick owens lacing is very very similar to the one of beuys. And if you now look at his various paintings, sculptures and photos u can feel that Rick owned aesthetic slightly. It’s like a silent influence on Rick owned but you can see it clearly. Idk I think many things influenced Rick Owens but this is definitely a major one. Art has always been playing a big role in his life.
As an average blue collar guy my first intro to high fashion was watching Rick interviews. Totally a cool guy with lots of wisdom, I looked at the clothing and I totally love some pieces. I think I will buy geobaskets once the snow goes away, huge fan of his brand and the ideas it conveys.
Okay, first off, I went to public school in San Diego in the 80s and we learned about Japanese society. Public school was where it was at in Southern California. To attend private school or worse, to be home schooled, made you an outcast. This plays in to Owen's three major inspirations: his upbringing was Catholic and his mother is Mexican, and he came of age in Los Angeles gay clubs, and old Hollywood rocks his world. You see the rejection of Catholicism in much the same way that Madonna reacted against it. We still see it with the Rick Owens pentagram and monk like hoods. The consistent influence of gay culture shows up in Owen's work via the appropriation of straight male gym clothing and explicit gay apparel, like jock straps or glory holes. I love the CUNTY hat that's casually on the wall in his Venice condo, referencing Harlem ball culture. And old Hollywood is his lode star with draping and bias cut gowns dominating the women's line. I appreciate that you love Rick Owens for architecture and kindness, but for me, it's always been about some gay Hollywood post-punk decrepitude.
Rick Owen’s art and ethos is fascinating. Though I don’t wear his designs, I’ve been bingeing interviews of him this week. Your essay is by far the most interesting and inquisitive. I enjoyed my time here
Rick's central lens is architecture. However, within architecture there are several genres, so to speak, of buildings. The genre of architecture that is interwoven in Rick's sense, I'd say, is Soviet: from the brutalism, to the futurism, to the neoclassical, and so on - these are all widely used within Soviet architecture.
True. But there’s a reason for those distinctive genres. Rick has to adapt his architecture design to clothing. Fabric reacts differently and is not going to have the same structural or decorative purpose or function that certain architecture elements/ materials have.
Very insightful and interesting discussion. Rick Owens is truly in his own unique category and you do a great job of getting to the core of how and why that is. I’m going to check out more of your design commentaries. Thanks.
Rick Owen has layers to his personality and seems to be aware of “The self” . I love the duality of his masculine architectural vision with feminine chaos. Rick Owens is truly a rare site to see, as a fully actualized human being
Man I never realized how much I have in common with Rick, my dad was the same way not with music or homme schooling but all else wow. And hey Karsten I love how you're doing this from a minimalist bedroom lol.
This is one of the best expositions or investigations of Rick Owens I've seen so far: and believe me, I'm really hunting them down; as I'm fascinated as you are. Very well done, but, as a European, there was one 'ouchy' I just can't pass by. Jean Paul Sartre is not Jean Paul Sar-terre. It's said more like Sar-truh. (with the 'uh' being silent, though a French person may hate that explanation), I know it's complex and nit picky, but perhaps the reason American education is 'bad', as you say, is your geographical and philosophical distance from the rest of us? Just an unpopular idea...pls don't shoot me. I'm enjoying your thoughts, and eating up your videos.
tbh ive seen your tiktoks, you are not the best representation for understanding rick but i did enjoy this video. i think you need to more outside your own self expression before talking about what rick owens is.
I love what you said. He is not only a great designer but kind human being which is rare to find when you have that level of popularity to be actually grounded. He found a way to bring his creativity down to earth with being extra but not rude or bossy. He is in his own lane and that's why he is so attractive because he has moral values and is reflective of his surroundings.
I have a brand that I am modeling a couple of thoughts or visions other designers use to produce great definite work. This has been an inspiration to me , how you articulated this video.
This is honest feedback. Why would any decent and sane person spend $1000 on an ugly, demon t shirt? This video didn't answer that question for me. Plus, didnt he like drop out of school? Well-educated? Also he is not an "architect". Just because you use the word fifty times doesnt make him an architect.
The fact that you cannot appreciate his work or understand it just says a lot about your intelligence. You are narrow minded and prove Rick’s father correct that public schooling is not sufficient, as it produces people like you willing to call stuff shit because it’s different. Thats the point bro its shock value, people are stepping over eachother to get the privilage to buy his clothes and furniture for thousands. Plus Rick is richer, smarter, cooler, more muscular, more skilled, and has more achievements than you ever will so stop hating on a guy who made his dreams to reality
