Rick Owens: Parisian Goth?
By: Mari Davis
Photos by Javier Mateo

PARIS, Mar 6, 2004/ FW/ --- Last night at the Musée D’Art Moderne, American designer Rick Owens presented his signature style of gothic minimalism for his Fall 2004 collection. And that about says it all.

It’s not the clothes did not look great. To be truthful, the whole collection is something that a fashionista will add to her wardrobe because it will be one of those Rick Owens collectibles.

And that is where the problem lay. His signature style is becoming a double-edged sword for the designer – it’s the reason why the fashion flock loves him, but it is also becoming stale in their eyes.

To be fair, the parade of his familiar distressed leather jackets in faded beiges and dejected black Frenchified with drooping back hems is interesting to watch.

And the asymmetric skirts and blouses, all dipped in a delicate palette of mushroom, mouse, palest lemon, and sorbet blue are actually incredibly wearable and luxurious.

Even the pants that were inspired by men’s thermal underwear look delicious and easy on the eyes.

Yet somehow, there was no piazza. It’s probably because we have seen them before.

And though the designer added furs and cashmere sweaters with cowl necklines to get some bubbly in the collection, it did not gel very well.

This collection will be a commercial hit actually, but I’m afraid that somewhere along the way we have lost Rick Owens.

And that is too bad really, because the American designer is one of those whom we look forward seeing every season in Paris with his artistic minimalist Goth-gone-underground looks.

Rick Owens

Rick Owens

Rick Owens

Rick Owens