GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: RICK OWENS
Fashion’s resident American in Paris, Rick Owens moved to the French capital in 2003 shortly after he picked up the CFDA’s Perry Ellis Emerging Talent Award in 2002. Originally from Porterville, California, Owens launched his label in 1994 out of Los Angeles, gaining attention for his regal-gothic look defined by fitted leather jackets, wispy T-shirts and harem pants when Kate Moss was photographed wearing the line by Corinne Day. Owens’ look has since become increasingly refined while retaining its intrinsic edge. He continues to use his runway to push boundaries, for example, his spring 2014 women’s collection featuring American college step teams, and his fall 2015 men’s collection of garments with strategic peek-a-boo cutouts at the crotch. In addition to his men’s and women’s collections, Owens has a furniture collection that brings his cool into the home.