Paris is ablaze with fashion this summer. Men’s Fashion Week, Haute Couture Week, and a slew of exhibitions ensure that neither tourists nor local style aficionados will be bored. Alongside showcases dedicated to Charles Worth, Azzedine Alaïa-Thierry Mugler, and haute couture at the Louvre, a new highlight emerges—a retrospective of Rick Owens, whose dark and provocative style has captivated today’s fashion enthusiasts.
Rick Owens: Master of Dark Aesthetics
Rick Owens is an iconic figure in the fashion world, his gothic style—infused with grunge elements and asymmetry—standing apart from the rest. His collections go beyond black, embracing his signature light gray hue, which he calls “Dust.” This tone has become a hallmark of his brand, underscoring its philosophical core.
Owens has gained fame not only for his unique designs but also for his provocative runway performances. At the Fall-Winter 2015 show, male models walked the runway with exposed genitals, shocking the audience. Six months later, he unveiled a collection where some models hung upside-down from others, symbolizing motherhood and feminine strength.
Temple of Love: Fashion, Art, and Personal Narrative
The retrospective exhibition “Temple of Love” invites visitors on a journey through nearly 30 years of Owens’ career, from his early works in Los Angeles to his latest Paris collections. As the creative director of the project, Owens himself infused the fashion silhouettes with personal touches. The exhibition features over 100 fashion creations, spanning archival pieces to contemporary designs, alongside personal documents, video installations, and previously unexhibited materials. In the museum’s garden, 30 brutalist concrete sculptures stand surrounded by Californian plants, while artworks by Gustave Moreau, Joseph Beuys, and Steven Parrino highlight Owens’ cultural influences.
One of the exhibition’s central elements is a reconstruction of the California bedroom of Rick Owens and his wife, Michèle Lamy. A separate room containing sexually explicit and violent content is not recommended for underage visitors.
The exhibition runs at Palais Galliera in Paris from June 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026. It is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 9:00 PM on Fridays. Tickets and further details are available on the museum’s website.
