This season, Rick Owens explored the concept of modern authority. While other shows focused on dystopian visions, the designer’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection seems to have been inspired by the current state of the world and its leaders.
The smog created a dense environment, which merged with the dark and monumental statues of the models. Distressed materials, such as thick wools, faux fur, and patchwork, along with deconstructed pieces and monochromatic colours ranging from black and charcoal to taupe, greige, and dusty brown, evoked a harsh, raw aesthetic that at times brought a sense of discomfort.
Through its styling, the brand seeks a distortion of reality, an exaggeration of shapes. Yet the garments fit naturally to the body, a common feature of the brand’s collections and its relationship to the human form. Each look seems sculpted onto the wearer, acting as an extension of them rather than as an added accessory.
Faithful to his creative language, Owens introduced a collection of flawlessly made pieces presented through chaotic styling – an offering that speaks about the modern world and its spiralling disorder. More than clothing, Rick Owens is a concept, a social discourse, and a cultural moment that resonates with those who view life with the same distraught eyes as the designer.
Words by Carolina Benjumea
