BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Rick Owens‘ Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show, held at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, was a profound exploration of minimalist travel and personal essentials. The event unfolded in a dreamlike atmosphere, with David Bowie’s “Heroes” resonating through a smoke-filled hall, setting a reflective and introspective tone.
The collection drew inspiration from Owens’ personal journeys, particularly his frequent travels to Concordia, Italy, where he has been deeply involved in the production of his designs. This period of “studious isolation” allowed him to focus on creating pieces that are both “weird and wonderful,” reflecting a cloistered life dedicated to craftsmanship.
Vogue
A highlight of the show was Owens’ collaboration with luxury luggage brand Rimowa. The partnership resulted in a limited-edition bronze-colored carry-on suitcase, lined with black leather and inspired by the works of sculptor Richard Serra. This piece symbolized Owens’ minimalist yet refined lifestyle, designed for his constant journeys between Paris, Concordia, and Venice.
Vogue
The collection itself was a testament to Owens’ ability to transform everyday essentials into extraordinary statements. Thermal long johns, oversized hoodies, and flared trousers—items often considered mundane—were reimagined through Owens’ gothic, architectural lens, becoming striking, theatrical garments.
Outerwear played a significant role in the collection, with standout “Dracu-collared” overcoats featuring exaggerated, protective collars and boxy wool coats adorned with industrial zippers. These pieces showcased Owens’ meticulous tailoring and his commitment to blending function with fantasy.
Vogue
The runway also featured architectural silhouettes with sharp-shouldered blousons and dramatic flaring trousers, evoking a superhero aesthetic. The color palette, grounded in Owens’ signature blacks and grays, was accented with metallics, including the bronze of the Rimowa luggage, blending futurism with practicality.
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Notably, Chappell Roan made a stylish debut at her first Paris Fashion Week, attending the Rick Owens show in a strapless dress paired with thigh-high black leather boots and vampiric heels, complemented by a butterfly-esque makeup pattern.
Getty Images
The Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show attracted a notable array of celebrities, each embodying the designer’s avant-garde aesthetic through their distinctive attire. FKA twigs, known for her bold fashion choices, graced the event in a striking ensemble that captured attention. She wore a daring mini dress paired with statement boots, complemented by unique face tattoos, aligning seamlessly with Owens’ dark and dystopian themes. Luka Sabbat was also in attendance.
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The FW25 collection was shaped by collaborations, with Rick Owens continuing his partnership with London’s Leo Prothmann on leather chaps that transform into slouchy Kiss Boots. Parisian designer Matisse Dimaggio contributed pleated tops, hoodies, Latex waves and laser-cut leather straps by Victor Clavelly illustrated the meticulous craftsmanship inherent in Owens’ designs. while Tanja Vidic crafted apocalyptic knitwear, reinforcing the signature aesthetic of the Rick Owens army.
The audience was captivated by the meticulous craftsmanship displayed in the collection. Fringes, textures, and finishes reflected a quest for movement and elegance, with each piece embodying a visual and tactile journey.
Vogue
Owens’ philosophy of living with less was evident throughout the collection. He advocated for a return to essentials, stating, “I can fit everything in a carry-on.” This approach translated into thermo-regulating fabrics and a design ethos that reduces material needs while valuing every choice.
Rick Owens’ Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show was a masterful blend of personal narrative, minimalist design, and artisanal craftsmanship. By transforming everyday essentials into extraordinary pieces, Owens challenged traditional notions of luxury and invited his audience to embrace a world where the functional becomes fantastical and the mundane becomes magnificent.
