Rick Owens
Owenscorp · United States
Rick Owens is the avant-garde fashion label of Californian designer Rick Owens, launched in Los Angeles in 1994 and based in Paris since 2003. It is owned by Owenscorp, the company Owens founded with his partner Michèle Lamy, and is known for dark, sculptural clothing, furniture and footwear.
| Founded | 1994, Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rick Owens |
| Owner | Owenscorp (founded 2004 by Rick Owens and Michèle Lamy) |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Diffusion line | DRKSHDW, since 2005 |
| Website | rickowens.eu |
What is Rick Owens?
Rick Owens is an independent luxury label known for a distinctive aesthetic of long, draped silhouettes, muted colours and monumental runway shows. Alongside menswear and womenswear, it includes footwear, accessories, a home and furniture line and several sub-labels.
History
Owens, born in Porterville, California, launched his fashion line in 1994 from a shop on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. His first runway show took place at New York Fashion Week with Vogue's support. In 2003 he moved to Paris with Michèle Lamy, where the headquarters, atelier and home are located and where runway collections have been shown since. In 2004 Owens and Lamy founded Owenscorp, and in 2005 they introduced furniture and launched the DRKSHDW line.
In December 2025, following protests, Owenscorp removed fur products from its website and said it would stop fur production.
Products and positioning
- Rick Owens: the main men's and women's line
- DRKSHDW: a denim and casual line
- Rick Owens Lilies: a women's line
- Furniture and home: pieces created with Michèle Lamy
- Collaborations: partners have included adidas, Birkenstock, Veja, Moncler, Champion, Dr. Martens and Converse
Business model and distribution
The brand sells through its own stores, an online store run by Owenscorp Italia in Turin and wholesale stockists worldwide. Owens has said the label would remain independent of corporate investment, and a 2017 WWD interview reported annual sales of about $120 million for the prior year.
Why it matters
Rick Owens is a leading example of a fully independent designer business with a cult following, its own Italian production and a coherent world that extends from clothing to furniture. Its collaboration strategy, especially in footwear, shows how niche brands can reach larger audiences without diluting their identity.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Rick Owens?
The label is owned by Owenscorp, the company founded in 2004 by Rick Owens and his partner Michèle Lamy. Owens has said the brand would stay independent of corporate investment.
Where is Rick Owens from?
Rick Owens is an American designer from California who launched his label in Los Angeles in 1994. The company has been based in Paris since 2003, with its operating company for e-commerce in Italy.