Rick Owens SS25: “Hollywood” for Weirdos and Freaks

Image Courtesy: Acielle / Style Du Monde

Rick Owens, the visionary designer behind the eponymous brand, champions a unique ethos that celebrates individuality and embraces the unconventional. Known as the “Lord of Darkness,” Owens curated a spring/summer collection that resonates with the “weirdos and freaks,” offering a space where eccentricity is accepted and celebrated.

Similarly to his previous collection, the show was held at Palais De Tokyo, an art museum in Paris. A pool at the center and ancient statues lining the walls highlighted the gothic and eerie feeling that Owens wanted to create in the collection. Fog surrounded the models and audience seated along the pool's outline, adding to the haunting atmosphere. As the models glided through the runway, Wagner played dramatic music. 

The show opened with the models coming down one side of the large staircase in the middle and flowing down the runway, completing a lap around the pool and eventually making their way back up the opposite set of stairs. They appeared out of the fog in groups, a constant flow of art. There was no one spotlight; instead, the models moved in groups, almost creating a sense of unity in a world where individuals are often singled out. 

The first group of pieces was very gothic, made up of all-black fabrics and textures. They wore chunky boots and long sleeves of different lengths, some reaching all the way to the ground. The shoulders of their jackets were very boxy, adding to the masculine silhouette of the pieces. There was a very organic flow to how the models moved through the runway, never pausing. They glided, holding a sort of immortal grace. 

His collection featured his usual mixtures of geometric shapes and angles, showcasing a plethora of sharp cutouts or triangular shoulders. Headpieces were also a very prominent aspect of this collection. Many models wore sharp headpieces, similar to an empress's, or had simple hairstyles such as slick backs and afros to simulate more modern trends. Others wore full head coverings, similar to a nun. The similarities of religious symbols were furthered through the head coverings, billowing robes, and long tails that dragged behind the models. 

Owens reflected on what it is like to be a queer individual living in an oppressive environment by incorporating androgynous silhouettes and pieces. The show featured masculine and feminine silhouettes, mixing the two into many looks. He did this by using sharp angles, heavy-duty accents, and less form-fitting pieces paired with feminine aspects such as lighter color schemes or mermaid-style gowns. 

He also achieved his goal of representing those who often feel isolated by society by incorporating models of all races, body types, and ages. Owen had reached out to fashion schools in Paris and had those students and faculty walk as models. He prides himself on being inclusive and stated in an i-D video that it “was supposed to be a gesture of respect in the face of the wars we are experiencing.” 

Cardi B was in attendance, matching the palette in a neutral-colored, form-fitting gray dress. She followed the alien-like theme by styling her hair with pieces sticking out and wearing bold eye makeup. The most attention was drawn to her coat, which had vertical pointing shoulders, mimicking those featured in the show.  

Rick Owens encapsulates what it is like to feel as though you do not belong for being who you are. He speaks to those who want to feel seen and delivers a collection for those who long to feel as though they are a part of something in the media. 

Strike out, 

Madi Denizard 

Boca Raton  

Madi Denizard is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. In typical Leo fashion, she is a social butterfly and loves self-expression of all kinds. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book, mermaiding in the ocean or crocheting her newest masterpiece. You can reach her by email at madison.denizard@gmail.com or on Instagram @mpaigee_