The hottest pioneering designer Rick Owens: Monster of elegance, devil of romance

Zhiming Liu
Digital Society
Published in
4 min readFeb 16, 2023

Last year’s Oscars red carpet looks made the rounds. The best dress of the night was this distressed denim gown worn by Hunter Schafer as Jules in Euphrio. The dress, from Rick Owens’ Fall 2022 ready-to-wear collection, stood out from the crowd in terms of the overall cut, the colour of the fabric and the cut-out back, which showed off Hunter Schafer’s curves. Rick Owens, known in fashion circles as the “King of Kink”, has defied traditional methods of dressmaking with his rebellious designs. He has a strong online presence on several platforms, including his official website, Twitter and Instagram, so let’s explore.

Hunter Schafer — Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills 03/27/2022

Official Website

Starting with Rick Owens’ website, it is clear that he values minimalism. The site features a predominantly black and white colour palette with some highly saturated colours, showcasing high quality visual content that easily attracts attention. The focus of the website is to showcase his product content, show videos and the design process. The site successfully communicates the high-end and unique nature of his brand and conveys his aesthetic. However, it could benefit from more interactive elements, such as an open comment section below the products where consumers can provide some feedback for people to consider.

Rick Owens Official Website

Twitter

Moving on to Owens’ Twitter account, it is apparent that he uses the platform to communicate with his audience and to promote his brand. His tweets are concise and focus on fashion news, product launches, and updates on his collections. Additionally, Owens shares his opinions on various topics, including politics and social issues. While this personal touch may add to his brand authenticity, it can also be polarising for some of his followers. Owens’ Twitter account is also notable for the way in which he interacts with his followers. He responds to their comments and questions, which fosters a sense of community around his brand. However, as Owens’ Twitter following has grown, it has become harder for him to respond to every message, and some of his followers may feel neglected.

Product Update
Bold tweet from Rick Owens

Instagram

Lastly, Owens’ Instagram feed is a visual representation of his brand, showcasing his collections, collaborations and inspirations. Owens’ Instagram account is similar to his website, with a black and white color scheme and high-quality images that capture the essence of his brand. Owens often shares photos of himself and his partner, Michele Lamy, which adds a personal touch to his feed. However, Owens’ Instagram account lacks the same level of interaction as his Twitter account. He rarely responds to comments, and there is a sense that the account is more of a one-way communication channel.

Rick Owens Instagram Page/ 1.9 million followers

Overall, Rick Owens’ online presence reflects his unique and edgy brand, with a focus on simplicity and minimalism. His website is well-designed but could benefit from more interactive features. Owens’ Twitter account is the most interactive of his social media accounts, allowing him to communicate with his followers and gather feedback. Lastly, his Instagram account is visually stunning, but lacks the same level of interaction as his Twitter account. Nonetheless, Owens’ presence across multiple platforms allows him to connect with his audience, promote his brand, and showcase his designs in a unique and engaging way.

Rick Owens’ latest runway video

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