'FASHION'S NOSFERATU' THE UNTOLD RICK OWENS STORY

Rick Owens is the unlikely American Fashion Designer; far from the Ralph Lauren’s of the world, who’s classic sportswear has come to define the wholesome American dream; Owens’ vision rather, offers an introspective insight into the darker elements of nature and of man and it is often thought, into Owens himself. To the rest of the world Owens strikes a mysterious figure, a slender – softly spoken Californian native; an intellectual no doubt, with working ties to some of the most esteemed models in the world and yet no one embodies the aesthetic of Rick Owens more than the man himself. His trademark long locks and a self perpetuating uniform of black, monotones and shades of Grey, cloaked over white sneakers often draws critical comparisons to that ominous figure of the death: the Grim Reaper. This comes as no surprise to the New York times, with it’s own Alexander Fury observing that Owens is like “a prophet of the apocalypse” quoting mostly “on topics such as death, renewal (and) creation”. And yet he is generally considered to be fair, considerate and pushing sentiments that promote positivity and acceptance in his dealings outside of the catwalk. But beyond the presence we see backstage, it is the unique techniques and deft craftsmanship that have come to define Rick Owens and for that matter the many designers within his field of influence. Best known for his brand of “glunge” a combination of grunge and glamour that offers casual otherworldly elegance, Owens is a man with more than a few tricks up his leather sleeve. He is a prolific designer, producing collections seasonally for his main and diffusion lines for men and women bending the gender lines with his own brand of controversy. But it is his distressed materials and asymmetric leather jackets worn by the likes of Kate Moss that have catapulted him to the halls of fashion royalty. Looking over past collections, it is clear the designer masks an inherent complexity in each of his clean-cut creations. There is deception in the simplicity of his design: an intricacy arising from both his dedication to pattern cutting and a rare selection of arduous working materials, resulting in a unique drape over the human body that few designers can replicate.