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.
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
JJ Martin
-
We gaze into our crystal ball to predict the tech hits (and misses) of 2026The shape of things to come: seven technologies that will define the year ahead, from robotics, AI, aviation and more
-
This documentary tells the story behind Louis Vuitton’s monumental Snakes and Ladders runway setThe new film offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Pharrell Williams and Studio Mumbai conceived the 2,700 sq ft Snakes and Ladders board, which backdropped the house’s S/S 2026 menswear collection last June
-
This remarkable retreat at the foot of the Catskill Mountains was inspired by the silhouettes of oak leavesA New York City couple turned to Desai Chia Architecture to design them a thoughtful weekend home. What they didn't know is that they'd be starting a farm, too
-
Frieze London 2025: all the fashion moments to look out forThe best fashion happenings to add to your Frieze London 2025 schedule, from Dunhill’s curation of talks at Frieze Masters to an exhibition of furniture by Rick Owens
-
At home with Rick OwensAs 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
-
Paris Fashion Week A/W 2021: discotheque chic to apres-ski sleek -
Walk this way: navigating S/S 2021's Paris Fashion WeekHow the City of Lights looked to the sartorial realities of our much changed lifestyles
-
Rick Owens A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Rick Owens A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Men's -
Rick Owens S/S 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Rick Owens S/S 2020 Paris Fashion Week Men's