Rick Owens

Rick Owens, founded by the American designer of the same name in Los Angeles in 1994, is an independently owned fashion house headquartered in Paris. The brand produces men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessories, defined by a dark, architectural aesthetic that draws from brutalism, grunge, and classical draping. Rick Owens shows at Paris Fashion Week and operates approximately 20 stores worldwide, including flagships in Paris, New York, London, and Tokyo. The diffusion line DRKSHDW offers accessible price points, while the mainline and furniture collections represent the full vision.

History

Rick Owens studied at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles before apprenticing with a knock-off fur coat manufacturer, where he learned garment construction. He launched his eponymous label in 1994, producing a small collection from his LA apartment. A 2002 feature in Women’s Wear Daily brought industry attention, and his first runway show at New York Fashion Week in 2002 established his reputation for dark, draped silhouettes.

Owens moved to Paris in 2003 and began showing at Paris Fashion Week. He launched the DRKSHDW diffusion line in 2005, the furniture line in 2007, and the Lilies knitwear line. His concrete-and-marble Paris store, designed by Owens himself, opened in 2007 on Place du Palais Royal. The brand has collaborated with Adidas (2013-ongoing), Converse (2021), Birkenstock (2018-ongoing), Moncler, and Champion. The Ramones sneaker, introduced in the mid-2000s, became a streetwear grail.

Signature Style

Rick Owens’ aesthetic is instantly recognizable:

• Dark Palette: Predominantly black, dust, milk, and pearl with occasional earth tones
• Architectural Draping: Asymmetric cuts, cowl necks, and cascading fabric referencing ancient Greek garments
• Elongated Silhouettes: Drop-crotch pants, extended hems, and exaggerated proportions
• Chunky Footwear: The Ramones, Geobaskets, and platform boots with thick rubber soles
• Raw Edges and Exposed Seams: Visible construction details as design elements
• Brutalist Geometry: Structured shoulders and geometric leather jackets

Notable Collections

The Ramones sneaker ($1,230 in mainline leather) is Rick Owens’ most iconic footwear, featuring a high-top silhouette with an oversized rubber toecap. The Geobasket ($1,400+) adds a geometric tongue panel. The Bauhaus Leather Jacket ($2,500-$4,000) is the signature outerwear piece in washed lamb leather. DRKSHDW Ramones in canvas ($580) offer an accessible entry point. The Larry Boot and Kiss Boot ($1,200-$1,800) are recognizable for their exaggerated soles.

Price Guide

Rick Owens operates across two main price tiers:

DRKSHDW (Diffusion):

• T-shirts & Tanks: $200-$500
• Pants: $400-$800
• Sneakers: $400-$700
• Outerwear: $600-$1,500

Mainline:

• T-shirts & Tops: $400-$1,000
• Pants: $700-$1,500
• Sneakers: $1,000-$1,600
• Leather Jackets: $2,000-$5,000
• Runway/Special Pieces: $5,000-$20,000

Resale for Rick Owens is strong within the avant-garde community. Vintage pieces from early 2000s collections and limited Adidas collaborations command significant premiums.