Rick Owens Steps All Over Fashion
After weeks of following Fashion Week on Style.com, the collections start to blend together in a haze of organza and patent leather and what’s supposed to be fun starts to feel like homework. That is, until yesterday, when I was stopped dead in my tracks, or rather my keyboard, by one of the most alive shows I’ve ever seen. I let out a loud “fuck” to no one in particular.
Rick Owens unleashed an army of snarling “Steppers” stomping down the Paris runway, scaring the shit out of the fashion establishment.
Instead of using models, mere slivers of “real” women, he flew in competitive dancers from the U.S., and dressed them in his creations or “uniforms” grouped by color and had them step, literally, on stage. They reflected the shape, size, sass and diversity of “real” women all over the world, for the first time, maybe ever. And, to me, made everything that came before, or what will come after, irrelevant.
Talk about Street Style.
I called Jslow immediately, the first time I was that moved to talk about what I’d just seen at Fashion Week all season. We both love Rick Owens, own a few of his pieces (they are truly timeless and last forever) and have always respected him as someone who’s stayed true to his own vision, never chasing trends or celebrity, even though celebrities love his stuff.
His vision is heavily influenced by his muse/wife, Michele Lamy, whom he’s described as “a mesmerizing sphinx…who acts completely on instinct and feelings, where I’m so pragmatic and sensible and kind of, compared to her, boring and conservative.” For what it’s worth, she also sports a grill.
So thank you, Ms. Lamy, for inspiring such genius, and thank you, Mr. Owens, for inspiring the entire fashion industry and being the first to step up for diversity on the runway.
To get a better feel for this historic moment in fashion, check out this video clip from the show, courtesy of Susie Lau of Style Bubble.
Oh, and by the way, the collection was awesome.
http://vimeo.com/75555136
Rad! This is a super step up from the ultra boring, ultra skinny white girls slithering down the runway! (coming from a rather white, slightly overweight white girl)…
Thanks for sharing.
Ha, Step-up indeed! Still blown away, and loving all of the positive press this is garnering. Really important message, really makes me happy. xo
Wow- stupendous – thanks for sharing.
Thanks Carooch! I can only imagine how powerful this was to see in person. Hope to see YOU in person soon. xoxo