RICK OWENS - TECUTAL 2020

Aztecs, Bauhaus, bald alabaster heads and sci- freak-chic. The American designer in Paris collides Mesoamerican culture with Klingon influences.

Synthesizing Brutalism with his signature ascetic tribalism, the fashion pooh-pah of Paris went OTT with Mesoamerican madness, architectural headgear, asymmetrical dresses, tunics, hardcore wedge heeled boots and feral futuristic glitz. The styles were simultaneously hard and soft, ancient and nowness, vulgar and vivacious. Yellow and red hues intermingled with phosphorescent textures, shimmering sequins and sculptural shapes in black, clay and gray.

Presenting smack-dab at the Palais de Tokyo’s pavilion amidst brilliant buoyant bubbles and alien auras, Rick said he was going for “stoic Bauhaus Aztec priestesses in an Art Deco Valhalla filled with bubbles animated by Fantasia Disney.” Hot damn! He also wanted to pay tribute to his 87-year-old Mexican immigrant mother, Connie (sweet!), who reared the kingpin designer in Southern California.

The excellent Salvia (explore her amazing imagery ) did all that subversive make-up and gave the models receding hairlines with Klingon mellons, bleached brows, and cool andro vibes. It was an all-out Acopalipto affair with references to Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, an anti-totalitarian sci- fi film depicting disenfranchised toilers in some futuristic urban dystopia.

There were snazzy pentagram pendants, prizm polarized shades, stylized chain link necklaces and priestess warriors prepared to rip the beating heart out of your chest as an offer to the gods and goddesses.

The crowd went buck wild and judging by the feedback, this was the best collection of the entire fashion schedule. We agree! Kudos, Rick Owens! And props for the signature mezcal.