Rick Owens
Founder and designer of Rick Owens
Rick Owens is the American designer behind the Paris based label Rick Owens, known for dark, draped and sculptural clothing and provocative runway shows. He has built one of fashion's most distinctive independent businesses, together with his partner Michèle Lamy, and also designs furniture.
| Role | Founder and designer, Rick Owens |
|---|---|
| Company | Owenscorp, Paris |
| Based in Paris since | 2003 |
| Born | 1961, Porterville, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Dark, sculptural independent fashion |
Who is Rick Owens?
Richard Saturnino Owens was born in November 1961 in Porterville, California. He is the founder and designer of the label Rick Owens, which he runs from Paris through the company Owenscorp. His work is known for a muted palette, long draped silhouettes and a strong architectural sense, and for runway shows that often make a statement.
Career
Owens studied art at Otis College of Art and Design and then pattern making and draping at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He worked as a pattern cutter in the Los Angeles garment industry before establishing his own label in the early 1990s.
His profile grew when American Vogue sponsored his first runway show, for autumn and winter 2002, the same year he received the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent. In 2003 he moved to Paris, where he has shown ever since. In 2004 he and Michèle Lamy founded Owenscorp to run the business. His lines include the main collection, DRKSHDW, launched in 2005, and Rick Owens Lilies.
Further recognition followed with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and a retrospective, Subhuman Inhuman Superhuman, at the Triennale di Milano in the same year. From June 2025 to January 2026 the Palais Galliera in Paris presented Rick Owens, Temple of Love, an exhibition of more than 100 silhouettes.
Influence on the fashion business
Owens is often cited as an example of a designer who has built a substantial business while remaining independent of the large luxury groups. Key aspects of his influence include:
- A consistent, instantly recognisable aesthetic built over three decades
- A loyal community of customers who follow the brand closely
- Collaborations with brands such as Adidas, Birkenstock, Moncler, Converse and Dr. Martens
- Extension into furniture inspired by Brutalist architecture
In December 2025 Owenscorp removed fur products from its website and committed to ending fur production.
Owens has published several books on his fashion and furniture work. The Palais Galliera notes that his early designs drew on underground culture and 1930s glamour, with sophisticated structures and a signature grey he calls dust.
Why it matters
In an industry dominated by conglomerates, Rick Owens shows that a strongly authored independent label can achieve global reach through consistency, community and selective partnerships. His influence on avant garde and luxury streetwear aesthetics remains considerable.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Rick Owens?
Rick Owens is an American fashion designer who founded his namesake label in Los Angeles and has been based in Paris since 2003. He runs the business through Owenscorp with Michèle Lamy.
What is Rick Owens known for?
He is known for dark, draped and sculptural clothing, theatrical runway shows and Brutalist inspired furniture. He is also known for collaborations with brands such as Adidas, Moncler and Birkenstock.