Images of garment courtesy of Net-a-Porter; Photo of Rick Owens by Marcio Madeira, courtesy of Style.com.
Once, as I was walking through Les Jardins du Palais Royal in Paris, I spotted Paris-based American designer Rick Owens. This was in the late 90's when he was shaking things up at Revillon, the French furrier. He was starting to create a buzz among the fashion cognoscente but wasn't yet known much beyond Paris fashion circles. I knew of him thanks to a brief profile in Paris Vogue.
I think initially, he caught my eye more because of his unique personal style than for his creations at Revillon. On that particular day, he was wearing a pair of high-top trainers worn unlaced with baggy combat trousers and a leather motorcycle jacket. His long dark hair was loose and windblown. Truth be told, I was somewhat mesmerized by the sight of him. Perhaps it was that his presence seemed so incongruous set against the backdrop of the Palais Royal's classical architecture and the BCBG couples strolling through the gardens. He must have sensed that he was being stared at because he looked up in my direction. I don't know why but that image of him walking across the Palais Royal stuck with me. As his reputation grew, I would occasionally come across a profile or an editorial spread featuring some of his unique garments. While I admired his viewpoint on fashion and his use of unconventional materials like distressed leather and jersey, I felt it was a little too edgy for me. I realize now that this was a simplistic take on his aesthetic. As I now know, there is so much more to Rick Owens' creations than meets the eye.
Last summer, I decided I needed to move beyond my comfort zone style-wise. I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for but I was curious to try something a little edgier, something novel that would complement my existing wardrobe but provide a bit more of a style buzz. I decided to take the plunge. I started with a simple jersey tank dress paired with an asymmetrical wrap cardigan. The fit is exquisite and the softness of the fabrics are lovely to wear. The lightweight fabrics make them perfect for layering - essential for the predictably unpredictable British summer. Then I tried one of his long angora-blend cross-front clingy dresses for autumn. That too works really well. But it's my most recent Rick Owens acquisition that has cemented my deep respect for his work: the black faille short jacket with a double-breasted front (pictured above).
You instinctively know you've found a great garment (as opposed to a merely good one) the minute you slip it on both by the way it looks and perhaps more importantly, by the way it feels. The sharp tailoring of the jacket gives it a body-hugging quality that flatters the figure and the sleeves have a ribbed insert that cause them to hug the arm such that when you push them up, they actually stay put. But really, it is the texture of this jacket that I find particularly appealing - it's made of a ribbed cotton and silk blend with a slight sheen and subtle distressing achieved by gentle stone washing of the fabric. It feels absolutely amazing to wear - snug without being constraining and substantial while remaining incredibly light. It's as though I've finally succumbed to the flirtation started many years ago in the Jardins du Palais Royal. Simply put, I love it.
Sincerely,
The Luxe Chronicles
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