WWD JAPAN — WWD JAPAN — RICK OWENS SPEAKS: “CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS IS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.” — JANUARY 19, 2026 — By WAKA KIMURA

Rick Owens is widely regarded as a leading figure among brands that maintain an uncompromisingly independent stance while building a connection with fans around the world through a philosophy that is both strong and gentle. When he visited Japan for the first time in nearly 20 years in 2023, a large crowd of fans gathered at his flagship store in Minami-Aoyama, creating a wave of excitement. Why does his philosophy continue to resonate across generations? We spoke with Rick to find out.

WWD: How do you perceive the era we are living in today? And what role do you think fashion plays in such a time?

Rick Owens (hereafter, Owens): I THINK THE WORLD MIGHT HAVE GONE THROUGH WORSE AND I HAVE FAITH IN HUMAN INGENUITY FINDING WAYS TO ADAPT TO EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES. I HAVE FAITH IN GOODNESS ALWAYS HAVING WON OVER EVIL IN THE PAST. FASHION IS A FORM OF CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS IS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.

 WWD: The community surrounding your brand seems to have steadily expanded over time. In today’s world, which of your ideas or attitudes do you think people respond to most strongly?

Owens: I THINK THE FACT THAT MY LABEL IS A ONE MAN SHOW, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, IS HARD TO FIND THESE DAYS. CONSUMERS ARE NOW AWARE OF EVERY TRICK BEING USED TO SEDUCE THEM BY COMMITTEES. WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE BEING HONESTLY UNFILTERED, IT'S LIKE A THRILLING HIGH WIRE ACT WITH AUTHENTICITY, AND AN ELEMENT OF RISK. I KNOW THAT, THAT'S WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR.

WWD: Your support among younger generations is also growing.

Owens: PERHAPS I HAVE AN ADOLESCENT DESIRE FOR SOME SHOCK AND MAYBE I PROVIDE THAT SOMETIMES.

WWD: If you had to describe your brand community in one word?

Owens: SENSITIVE.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS THE HUMAN CONDITION AND THE EMOTIONAL CONCERNS WE ARE ALL NEGOTIATING EVERY DAY.  PRIDE, SHAME, FEAR, VANITY, SELF-LOATHING, DELUSION AND TRYING TO BE A BETTER PERSON, AND FORGIVING OURSELVES FOR FAILING.

WWD: How do your ideas and values ultimately take concrete form as “clothing”? What do you keep in mind during the design and production process?

Owens: IF COLORS ARE SUBDUED, TEXTURES ARE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, QUALITY PROTECTED AND DEVELOPED, PRESENTATION THOUGHTFUL AND RIGOROUS, I THINK THERE IS A SENSITIVITY TO A CERTAIN WAY OF LIVING THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE ATTRACTED TO.

WWD: The intensity of the community around you is overwhelming. How did that community come into being?

Owens: VALIDATION IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST URGES AND I HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN I EVER IMAGINED. I JUST TRIED TO PROVIDE WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. I AM PROFOUNDLY MOVED THAT ANYONE SAW THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THAT.

WWD: You have maintained an independent stance while achieving commercial success.

Owens: I AM PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HAD PARTNERS WITH GREAT INTEGRITY PROTECTING ME AND OUR PROJECT SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING. I WAS ALLOWED TO DEVELOP AND GROW SLOWLY WITHOUT INTERFERENCE AND THAT IS EXTREMELY RARE. MY PARTNERS WERE EXTREMELY TALENTED IN PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING WHAT I WAS MAKING, WHICH IS 90% OF THE EFFORT. I WAS VERY LUCKY

WWD: What does “success” mean to you?

Owens: TO LIVE AN HONORABLE LIFE.

WWD: Is there a community that made you feel “saved” at some point in your life or career?

Owens: I WAS SAVED BY KABUKI, ART DECO, ART NOUVEAU, DADAISM, CUBISM, BRUTALISM, GLITTER ROCK, AND PUNK ROCK