Rick Owens DRKSHDW denim jacket with flared design and panelled winged back — fall 2005

Rick Owens is an American designer. He studied fashion design at Otis College of Art and Design before dropping out and taking pattern-making courses at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.

He started his career making knock-off designer clothing. This taught him the tools of his trade: a thorough knowledge of cutting and draping.

Rick Owens’ clothes are often described post-apocalyptic, yet glamorous. He references subcultures like goth and grunge, but he also did an infamous street wear inspired collection in 2014 with step teams dancing on the runway.

Owens often states that he develops his new collection based on his previous ones, resulting an instant recognizable aesthetic.

Together with his wife, business partner and muse Michèle Lamy, Rick Owens is expanding his empire, launching DRK SHDW, Lilies and designing brutalist interior pieces.

Rick Owens is most known for his sharp cut leather jackets with ultra long tight sleeves. It was one of these statement pieces that instantly launched Owens, when Kate Moss wore it in French Vogue.