Video: Rick Owens' stomping S/S 2014 fashion show
The controversy over whether or not fashion designers embrace enough diversity in their model castings was blown to bits at Rick Owens, where the American designer featured a throng of real woman - ethnically diverse with shapely curves. Not only did the women - members of various American step dance crews - not adhere to Paris' typical model look, they didn't act like them either.
They came onto the stage stomping their feet, beating their chests, snarling their lips and growling like wild, wonderful beasts, before launching into a 15-minute choreographed tribal dance that electrified the jaded fashion audience. Everyone's eyes may have been glued to these girls' moves, but it was hard not to notice that the clothes looked great, too.
Draped tops, leather vests, tunics and knit shorts were all done the Owens way: sportswear wrapped to regal heights. Even with the African beats, the women sported swathes of solid hues: khaki, black and white, rather than riots of patterned cloth. Owens never broke down and offered 'real' models as a counterpoint to his guest dancers. These are the women, take it or leave it, he seemed to say. They were glorious, so it goes without saying, we'll take it.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
JJ Martin
-
Mexican designers show their metal at Gallery Collectional, Dubai
‘Unearthing’ at Dubai’s Gallery Collectional sees Ewe Studio designers Manu Bañó and Héctor Esrawe celebrate Mexican craftsmanship with contemporary forms
By Rebecca Anne Proctor Published
-
At The Manner, New York has a highly fashionable new living room
The Manner, a new hopsitality experience by Standard International in the heart of SoHo, triples up as a hotel, private residence, and members’ club
By Hannah Walhout Published
-
First look – Bottega Veneta and Flos release a special edition of the Model 600
Gino Sarfatti’s fan favourite from 1966 is born again with Bottega Veneta’s signature treatments gracing its leather base
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
At home with Rick Owens
As California-born fashion designer Rick Owens is named one of the Wallpaper* USA 300 – a celebration of creative America – we revisit our conversation with Owens in the run-up to his S/S 2023 menswear show last year
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Paris Fashion Week A/W 2021: discotheque chic to apres-ski sleek
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Walk this way: navigating S/S 2021's Paris Fashion Week
How the City of Lights looked to the sartorial realities of our much changed lifestyles
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Rick Owens A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Rick Owens S/S 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Rick Owens S/S 2020 Paris Fashion Week Men's
By Dal Chodha Last updated
-
Rick Owens A/W 2019 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Rick Owens A/W 2019 Paris Fashion Week Men’s
By Dal Chodha Last updated