Rick Owens x Selahatin Toothpaste

King of dark luxury and radical avant-garde - Rick Owens

If you're looking for a definition of the modern avant-garde, Rick Owens is at the very top. This Paris-based, California-born designer has created an empire that defies all the standard rules of the fashion industry. His work, often referred to as "glunge" (glamour + grunge), combines rawness, brutalism and antique elegance. Rick Owens is not just a fashion designer; he is a visionary who has transformed the black T-shirt and leather jacket into a religion for a community that rejects the mainstream. At Footshop, we're introducing you to a brand that's more than fashion - it's a life attitude.

A history born of rebellion and precision

Rick Owens founded his eponymous brand in 1994 in Los Angeles. The road to the top led through the tight circles of the underground scene to the moment his leather jacket was worn by Kate Moss in Vogue magazine. Owens' style is deeply rooted in his admiration for 1930s black-and-white films and punk-rock influences. Moving to Paris in 2003, he then definitively confirmed his status as a global master of the avant-garde. His shows are not just a presentation of clothes, they are ritualistic performances that often shock and make the viewer think about the limits of beauty and ugliness.

Iconic silhouettes and technologies of construction

What makes Rick Owens shoes so sought after is their radical morphology. Models like the Geobasket and Ramones have become icons that have defined the face of 21st century luxury footwear. Owens doesn't use classic sports technology, but relies on architectural construction and premium materials. Among the most used are Italian calfskin, horsehide or unique fabrics with finishes that create the impression of wear. Each model, including the futuristic Kiss Boot platform shoes, is designed to alter the proportions of the human body and give the wearer a sense of power and impregnability.

Culture Rick Owens: Why do people worship him?

Rick Owens has built a cult of personality around himself that is sought after by artists, musicians and creatives around the world. His loyal fans include names like A$AP Rocky and Michèle Lamy, his muse and life partner. People don't buy these pieces for the logo - Owens hardly uses it. They buy them for the identity. It's a uniform for those who see aesthetics in asymmetry, darkness and monolithic shapes. An investment in Rick Owens is an investment in a piece of history that will never go out of style because he stands alone outside of any trends.