Rick Owens on the Inspiration Behind His Human Backpacks
“It was transgressive and sweet at the same time…”
Mercurial designer Rick Owens completed a Tumblr AMA with British magazine Dazed this week, taking the opportunity to open up about everything from Juicy Couture tracksuits, his workout music and just what the inspiration was behind his bizarre Spring/Summer 2016 showing, in which models carried each other around via harnesses. Check out some of the answers below and head to Dazed for more information.
ON THE IMAGE THAT INSPIRED HIS SHOW
“There was an image of Leigh Bowery carrying his wife Nicola in a harness they would use for a birthing performance that I always loved. It was transgressive and sweet at the same time. I thought doing it with women would be a nice interpretation and developed other poses from there.”
ON WHETHER WEARING A JUICY COUTURE TRACKSUIT IS A GOOD LOOK
“If you have an open heart and an easy laugh I’m sure you’ll look great.”
ON HIS WORKOUT MUSIC
“I am listening to Mike Q voguing mixes at the gym and Peggy Lee and Julie London at work. Oh, and Katie Got Bandz in between!”
ON ADVICE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS
“There are a lot of questions similar to this here and I totally sympathise with young people looking for a way to find their place. I don’t know if I have the answer. But logic tells me that you have to decide what you really want to do, do a lot of it all the time so you can throw away your mistakes and your voice will emerge for better or for worse…learn to not take anyone too seriously and learn to listen to your gut. There are so many ways to learn – not just academically.”
ON WHAT YOU NEED TO SACRIFICE TO BE SUCCESSFUL
“I am happy to tell you that you don’t have to make a compromise. I don’t think I had to sacrifice anything. I wish the same for you.”
ON HIS LIFE PHILOSOPHY
“Happiness is gratitude for what you have.”
ON WHAT MOTIVATES HIM
“My motivation is to fulfil any potential I have to contribute beauty to the world before I die.”
ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN IN FASHION
“I feel I haven’t done enough to accommodate them. It’s hard to create a corner for people that might never come to me for that but I’m trying to find a way… I love a big girl who owns it unapologetically. Enjoy your juiciness.”
ON WHETHER HE WANTS TO GET INTIMATE WITH AN ANONYMOUS TUMBLR USER
“Dunno, dick pic please.”
