Fashion

Rick Owens’ Most Over-the-Top Runway Moments Throughout the Years

Owens sure does know how to put on a show. 

paris clothing footwear shoe sandal dancing leisure activities person performer solo performance
Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2016. Getty Images.

Over the years, Rick Owens has cemented himself not just as a designer, but as an enigmatic figure in the fashion world, known for his distinct blend of avant-garde fashion, bold personality, and unconventional wit. His runway shows have transcended traditional fashion presentations, becoming immersive performance art pieces that challenge the boundaries of fashion as we know it. Owens' collections are marked by dark, sculptural designs with a rebellious, almost apocalyptic aesthetic, but his flair for theatrics truly sets him apart.

From sending step dancers down the runway to staging monumental, almost dystopian settings, Owens uses his shows as a canvas for both fashion and art. He plays with extremes, often injecting a sense of irony and humor, creating moments that are as provocative as they are memorable. His humor, dry and self-aware, subtly weaves itself into his work—whether it’s through playful collaborations, unexpected accessories, or the audacious stunts that leave audiences buzzing long after the show ends.

From harnessing people onto models walking on the runway to explosive, apocalyptic settings, Rick Owens continues to be a driving force in performance art within the realm of fashion. As we anticipate what's next with his upcoming show for Paris Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2025, L'OFFICIEL has the rundown on some of Rick Owens' craziest, over-the-top runway moments over the years. 

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Rick Owens menswear Spring/Summer 2014. Owens invited hardcore band "Winny Puhh" to perform and create complete chaos, with performers hanging from the ceiling. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2015. Owens never stops at the clothes. He painted the models faces to resemble being covered in gold. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Spring./Summer 2015. Models appeared in all hues of mauves, grays, and blues. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2016. In a majority of his looks, Owens had his models harnessed onto other models walking the runway. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2019. Owens had the models walk through dyed smoke to encapsulate similar feelings to those in a riot. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2019. Owens wanted to hone in on his dark side for this collection, and said he needed to add some unusual glamour to the stage. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2022. If you haven't figured it out by now, Owens is all about location and aesthetics. For 2022, he opted to be very literal with his collection by showing it on Venezia Lido beach. Getty Images.
Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2024. Everything about this show was over-the-top with gothic, Tim Burton-like silhouettes throughout. Getty Images.

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