Rick Owens is one of the most popular names in the footwear industry. The good news is that you don’t need a $1000 sneaker budget to be able to get your hands on some of this designer’s most sought-after styles.
Although Owens is based in Paris, this Californian designer is dominating the footwear industry on both sides of the Atlantic.
Owens’ black and white 1930s-inspired aesthetic that captures the aftermath of the Hollywood Boulevard glamour had won him a loyal following among celebrities and influencers. Lori Harvey, Machine Gun Kelly, and Alessandra Ambrosio have all been spotted in shoes designed by Rick Owens.
Lori Harvey, Machine Gun Kelly, and Alessandra Ambrosio wearing Rick Owens shoes (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Rick Owens is famous for being an ‘anti-fashion’ brand, focusing on consistency with little deviation between designs each season. He remains committed to the avant-garde aesthetic, building upon each collection as a foundation with silhouettes that mix timeless shapes with contemporary trends. Every Rick Owens shoe features the designer’s dark aesthetic that has earned him the ‘Lord of Darkness’ nickname.
We’re deep diving into the world of Rick Owens, sharing everything you need to know about this American designer and the most popular Rick Owens shoes.
Rick Owens: The Lord of Darkness in Fashion
Rick Owens is an American-born designer based in Paris, known by the nickname “The Lord of Darkness” for his gothic aesthetic.
Owens collections offer a fashion-sportswear hybrid that is gender neutral, with black always being the main color palette.
Rick Owens is an American-born Paris-based designer whose gothic aesthetic earned him the nickname The Lord of Darkness (Credit: Ik Aldama / DPA / Cover Images)
What makes Rick Owens unique as a brand is that you’ll find it everywhere, from the latest hip-hop music videos to the hottest independent fashion boutiques.
A$AP Rocky made the brand a pop culture icon when he rapped “Rick Owens usually what I’m dressed in” during his 2011 song ‘Peso.’
The eponymous fashion brand is headed by Rick Owens and his wife, French fashion icon Michèle Lamy. She is primarily considered Owens’ muse and is known as A$AP Rocky’s “fairy god mom” and creative mentor.
Rick Owens with wife and muse Michèle Lamy at the 2019 Fashion Group International Night of Stars Gala (Credit: JENNIFER GRAYLOCK / INSTARimages)
While Rick Owens designs furniture and clothing, the brand’s most popular product is undoubtedly its shoes.
Rick Owens shoes are often the focal points of the label’s collaboration with brands like Adidas, Birkenstock, Veja, Dr. Martens, and Converse.
These footwear collaborations make it easier for fans of the brand to get a hold of Rick Owens shoes without an eye-watering price tag.
Rick Owens has collaborated with footwear brands like Adidas, Birkenstock, Veja, Dr. Martens, and Converse
Why is Rick Owens so expensive?
Rick Owens shoes sit at a luxury price point that reflects its market position and the materials used.
Most Rick Owens shoes are made using genuine leather and have innovative and unconventional designs that make them instantly recognizable.
You’ll pay a premium for purchasing Rick Owens shoes in the US compared to buying them in Europe.
The innovative designs and genuine leather construction of Rick Owens shoes account for their high price tags
What is Rick Owens famous for?
Rick Owens is famous for his designs that blend timeless and contemporary trends with a distinctive gothic feel. The brand is unique as it is ultimately “anti-fashion,” building on the concept of one collection with its next.
Owens is known for juxtaposing minimalistic and industrial aesthetics with high-quality fabrics to create wearable styles.
As a forward-looking brand, most of Owens’ designs are gender-neutral as a fashion-sportswear hybrid that offers a new approach to athletic leisure.
Rick Owens is known for blending timeless and contemporary trends with gothic vibe
Is Rick Owens a luxury brand?
Rick Owens is a luxury fashion brand with a cult following, famous for its leather jackets, gender-neutral footwear, and avant-garde style.
Although it’s a Paris-based brand, it has a distinctive feel of California cool. The all-black aesthetic encapsulates the idea of “grungy glamour” as one of the leading contemporary luxury brands.
Rick Owens is famous for its leather jackets, gender-neutral footwear, and avant-garde style
Do Rick Owens shoes fit true to size?
Shopping for Rick Owens shoes is relatively easy as most of the brand’s footwear fits true to size.
The eponymous label and the DRKSHDW shoes are available in half sizes for both men and women. If you’re looking for a more fitted silhouette, you may be able to size down half a size from your regular size.
Rick Owens x Converse
The most famous Rick Owens shoes come from the Rick Owens x Converse collaboration that sees Owens reinventing the brand’s iconic Chuck ’70 sneaker in both low-top and high-top styles.
The collaboration has grown from strength to strength, incorporating newer footwear silhouettes and expanding to clothing.
Rick Owens has reinvented Converse’s classic Chuck 70 sneakers, featuring Owens’ signature DRKSHDW elongated tongue, branded wraparound woven label, and signature Rick Owens molded rubber heel
Owens updates the classic Converse silhouettes with his avant-garde flair and ‘Lord of Darkness’ aesthetic. Each Rick Owens x Converse collection adopts a monochromatic color palette and comes in high-quality premium materials.
These Rick Owens shoes sit at a more attainable price point with the classic Converse silhouette and Owens’ gothic design philosophy.
The Rick Owens x Converse DRKSHDW TURBODRK high-top comes with a lace-less design and in multiple color palettes
Amongst the latest shoes from the Rick Owens x Converse collaboration include the lace-less DRKSHDW TURBODRK high-top sneakers.
It moves beyond the previous monochromatic color palettes with a ‘dust’ and ‘hot pink’ shade.
The sole of the classic Converse shoes has been given an avant-garde update with the DRKSHDW branding incorporated through the shoe, including onto the Converse name tag.
The Most Popular Rick Owens Shoes
Are you thinking of investing in Rick Owens shoes? We’re rounding up the most popular styles of Rick Owens shoes that deserve a spot on your shopping list.
1. Rick Owens Beatle Bozo Tractor Lug-Sole Ankle Boots, $881 (from $1,465) on Farfetch
Give your classic black boots an upgrade with this pull-on style from Rick Owens. These 100% leather boots are made in Italy and feature a closed round toe and chunky lug sole.
These Rick Owens leather ankle boots are made of 100% leather and feature round toes, elasticated side panels, and chunky rubber soles
2. Rick Owens Vintage Low Leather Low-Top Trainers, $925 on Farfetch
These vintage-inspired Rick Owens sneakers have a monochromatic color scheme and are made with 100% leather. The contrast stitching and paneled construction give the shoes a minimalistic but high-fashion feel.
A vintage-style low-top sneaker made of jet black and milk white leather with grained texture and contrast stitching
3. Rick Owens x Converse – DRKSHDW TURBODRK Chuck 70 High-Top Canvas Sneakers, $195 on Net-a-Porter
Looking for Rick Owens shoes but want a pop of color? Pick up the latest shoes from the Rick Owens x Converse collections.
The ‘TURBODRK’ high-top sneakers have a squared toe and exaggerated tongue that reflect Owens’ laid-back styling.
Rick Owens updated Converse’s iconic Chuck 70 TURBODRK sneakers with exaggerated tongues and distinct squared toes
4. Rick Owens Toe-Cap Leather Low-Top Trainer, $618 on Mytheresa
Another Rick Owens sneaker you should consider is this low-top silhouette with a chunky contrast sole and leather toe cap. They make a subtle statement as a streetwear sneaker you’ll reach for every season.
A minimalistic and timeless pair of low-top sneakers made of black leather with round rubber toe caps