As someone who works in the industry as a designer with factory experience, this is true. Vertical manufacturing is the best way to control your product quality, distribution and margins
My understanding is Calvin Klein had financial difficulty in the late 90's from the production side with the factories they had at the time. Rick Owen's is expensive compared to other designers like Issey Miyake or Etro.
Such a great video, just one small note you made at the end, McQueen actually didn't have to sell his company, he was doing quite well actually, but he chose to sell so that he didn't have to take on the burden and to spite Bernard Arnault who he really hated
the story of how he went to kering is marvelous! @understich, talks about it in her video about him. and it's always good to see bernard arnault taking one in the chin.
came here to say this - while the intention behind this video is good and there are some very useful takeaways one cannont separate Rick's success from Michelle. He's been in a position to not HAVE to sell because his partner was already rich and connected (like you said) other designers mentioned in this video and most of us do not have that luxury. The fact of the matter is he has this position because his vision, business acumen, and talent but Michelle as his muse /supporter and his bank account enabled for any of it to happen.
She wasn’t rich but she definitely had connections to the LA art scene. She didn’t own all those businesses at once and they didn’t seem to last very long. It was the 80s, you could “breakfast at tiffany” your way much easier back then. Rick was also a heavy clubber in gay places and being gay (or bi) in a city gives you way more connections, some arguably weird or gross ones but lots of connections to artists, interns, models, photographers and such and such. If you did something interesting back then, people paid more attention.
It really tells me besides being a brilliant designer he’s a smart businessman who doesn’t care about the level of expansion other houses go through . I’m sure he’s being offered obscene amounts to be bought and so far he said : thanks I’m good on my own. He hasn’t even produced a commercial perfume to carry his house. We all know it’s not bags and clothes that rake in that money to maintain a quite dusty brand like Chanel or what saved Mugler / Gaultier when the fashion became tacky in the end. I find him intriguing and genuine in serving his own world rather than plaster his name everywhere.
@@ernestoh429 after he left his house the collections were not the main income source. I'm old enough to have worked in those industries and at that time the launch of perfumes kept the house going .
I'm impressed with the confidence that makes this all sound correct! My response: read more. I agree: Owens has done some amazing things in keeping production close to home and controlling distribution. Fashion when Owens hit in the 90's is not what it is today. You're missing a major moment disregarding Charles Gallay and other retailers, who not only sold the clothes to celebrities but connected Owens with leather companies. And selling via Gallay and Maxfield was necessary to legitimize the brand to Vogue so that the funding for the show would happen. And Michele Lamy knew everyone: the celebrities and the factories. And she connected Owens with Revillon, which funded the move to Paris, which funded the opening of the Paris store. They both knew Lori Rodkin, which resulted in the Hunrod jewelry line. And the owner of Atelier New York, Karlo Steel, one of the first NYC stores to stock Rick Owens, was the backer to make the NYC store possible. In all, nurturing business connections with everyone is what has made the Rick Owens brand successful. In short: being nice and on top of business stuff like paying bills is a huge reason the Rick Owens brand has succeeded. It's a false comparison to think that Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela sold and left the industry due to lack of success; they followed a different path.
Nope. Just a lowly fashion professor who's of age to remember stuff and hopes his students read. "BEING RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN VOGUE PROBABLY GAVE ME THE CREDIBILITY THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. AT THE TIME." It's all posted to Owen's site. @@niceclaup1
this this a million times this. Rick is very talented but you cannot separate his success from Michele especially her investing into him made it possible for him to be in a lot of the positions mentioned in this video.
the nyt visited his paris home and wrote about it. it's gothic teenager 101. skulls, shaved-head people, with slipknot make-up, hairless cats, a painting of a cemetery, art with body fluids, industrial feel. so basic, it makes me doubt his clothing a bit. specially after the balloon boots.
Love how much substance you’ve packed into this video! tbh this is the first video about Rick Owens I’ve seen that isn’t packed with off-putting hero-worship
fascinating. it really is a ruthless sector of the economy and owning the entire chain of production can be used to advance your craft (or be a cheapskate depending on the person). also your designs are very pleasing and now I know a nice new place to shop! keep it up!
Hi, thanks for this video! I hadn't really heard of this designer as I don't care for trends, but this was a great story to watch! Just goes to show that having a long-term vision, a long-term plan, and going for slow and steady really is the way to go if you are about being around in 5, 10, 25 years. Love this!
All fashion brands do this, some very blatantly. It's basically a necessity to keep up each season. Trick is to make it slightly updated each time so you don't notice it as much
rick is for people who want to LOOK like they know fashion, look like they're intellectuals, look like they're dark, look like they are bold. people who want the attention. but, like all things california, there is a lot of façade. this community around him is very important for his success.
Essentially, what Rick Owens does is what I advise to new designers - build, produce and don't worry about growing too fast, and build a relationship with a manufacturer/factory 🥲 Amazing video!!! You're sew right, you have great points!! And I'm ashamed of myself for not looking more into Rick Owens business model 🙃 .... You're inspiring me to look more into fashion brands business models 🤔
Yohji and Kawakubo are different because of how much of their audience is in Japan, and the Japanese market is sort of it’s own different complicated bubble. For Yohji the majority of his sales are in Japan, but Kawakubo has opened up many CDG stores in the west as well Dover Street Market. Kawakubo and Dover is another excellent business case, but a little bit more complicated and drawn out then Rick. PAF is still very early in their career and it’s too early to tell, but I hope they do well !
@@karstenkroening thanks for your reply, i di not think about the locale being important, I hope PAF does well too because I like their way of releasing, going outside of the fashion system
The rick ramonas are literally the only clothing item that survived the swag and hypebeast era, and is still embraced by current streetwear and younger generation
fyi.. missed opportunity not putting the link to you brand in the description... and i cannot find the "link in your bio" like you said in the video. i am actually interested in that jacket you have on in the video
i was thinking the other day about the clothes people i respect wear. one japanese brand (won't name it) gives "oh ao you're the curator". you can always go with yoji or cdg, or sacai and junya if it's easier. the "i own a gallery" look is just north of france, mostly for women. rick is not on the list. (and he's defined not an underground find)
Rick designs clothes for people who look like Dr. Seuss characters. Look up Rae Suzan Strauss the Lava Lady of Los Angeles and see for yourself. Fashion comes from the streets, dahlings.
I would love to know that myself tbh. It’s so hit or miss these days, but it might have something to do with the whole industry overall dropping in quality. less high quality textiles are being produced overall so maybe it just also effect him? Or it could be how I also know that they have had turnover in the last few years of whoever is in charge of materials and fabric sourcing. Either way it’s disappointing
Haha he makes it seem like fashion designers don’t get some form of residual income after growing and selling a brand, just adding to this your content is valid bro
@@Kondi_U well, as far as i know "Lang" sold to dabble in other artforms. Margiela sold to, i dont know, disappear from the face of earth and the limelight he never was interessted in Lee sold mostly to get back at Bernard and out of his LVMH contract, while he also seemed to search for an exit strategy out of the fashion world.
I think Rick Owens is a genius, but I also think his clothes are overpriced tat. He charges more for a standard cotton t-shirt than Merz b do for a 100% loop wheel. His pants are more expensive than SEH Kelly stuff, which is literally woven by hand, by a 5th generation weaver sitting beside a Scottish loch working by candle light. .
That's why he's called Tricky Ricky
I was wondering why everyone added the T and calling him tricky during the paris fashion week after parties.
Is that what they call him? Do they only call him that behind his back or what?
tbh he just makes clothing that appeals to the generation of fake emos and everyone wanting to be mentally Ill.
btw thats a common nickname for people with the name rick
rizzy ricky
As someone who works in the industry as a designer with factory experience, this is true. Vertical manufacturing is the best way to control your product quality, distribution and margins
My understanding is Calvin Klein had financial difficulty in the late 90's from the production side with the factories they had at the time. Rick Owen's is expensive compared to other designers like Issey Miyake or Etro.
Such a great video, just one small note you made at the end, McQueen actually didn't have to sell his company, he was doing quite well actually, but he chose to sell so that he didn't have to take on the burden and to spite Bernard Arnault who he really hated
Oh, the pettiness 🤣
the story of how he went to kering is marvelous! @understich, talks about it in her video about him. and it's always good to see bernard arnault taking one in the chin.
He married an incredibly rich woman very well connected in Paris, that pays for everything. It was pretty easy and no trickery required.
Ditto...
came here to say this - while the intention behind this video is good and there are some very useful takeaways one cannont separate Rick's success from Michelle. He's been in a position to not HAVE to sell because his partner was already rich and connected (like you said) other designers mentioned in this video and most of us do not have that luxury. The fact of the matter is he has this position because his vision, business acumen, and talent but Michelle as his muse /supporter and his bank account enabled for any of it to happen.
Lamy was not "incredibly rich" lol. She had a small fashion line herself and owned a restaurant. She was comfortable in LA but not crazy rich
She wasn’t rich but she definitely had connections to the LA art scene. She didn’t own all those businesses at once and they didn’t seem to last very long. It was the 80s, you could “breakfast at tiffany” your way much easier back then.
Rick was also a heavy clubber in gay places and being gay (or bi) in a city gives you way more connections, some arguably weird or gross ones but lots of connections to artists, interns, models, photographers and such and such.
If you did something interesting back then, people paid more attention.
Hes still super talented tho
It really tells me besides being a brilliant designer he’s a smart businessman who doesn’t care about the level of expansion other houses go through . I’m sure he’s being offered obscene amounts to be bought and so far he said : thanks I’m good on my own. He hasn’t even produced a commercial perfume to carry his house. We all know it’s not bags and clothes that rake in that money to maintain a quite dusty brand like Chanel or what saved Mugler / Gaultier when the fashion became tacky in the end. I find him intriguing and genuine in serving his own world rather than plaster his name everywhere.
So perfume is what saved Mugler?
@@ernestoh429 after he left his house the collections were not the main income source. I'm old enough to have worked in those industries and at that time the launch of perfumes kept the house going .
@@ernestoh429Perfume is what save and has been saving many fashion houses for years. As it’s their main income source for most
Chanel is dusty?
I'm impressed with the confidence that makes this all sound correct! My response: read more. I agree: Owens has done some amazing things in keeping production close to home and controlling distribution. Fashion when Owens hit in the 90's is not what it is today. You're missing a major moment disregarding Charles Gallay and other retailers, who not only sold the clothes to celebrities but connected Owens with leather companies. And selling via Gallay and Maxfield was necessary to legitimize the brand to Vogue so that the funding for the show would happen. And Michele Lamy knew everyone: the celebrities and the factories. And she connected Owens with Revillon, which funded the move to Paris, which funded the opening of the Paris store. They both knew Lori Rodkin, which resulted in the Hunrod jewelry line. And the owner of Atelier New York, Karlo Steel, one of the first NYC stores to stock Rick Owens, was the backer to make the NYC store possible. In all, nurturing business connections with everyone is what has made the Rick Owens brand successful. In short: being nice and on top of business stuff like paying bills is a huge reason the Rick Owens brand has succeeded. It's a false comparison to think that Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela sold and left the industry due to lack of success; they followed a different path.
Wow, the deep cuts... do you have social media too? Cause I wanna go there
Nope. Just a lowly fashion professor who's of age to remember stuff and hopes his students read. "BEING RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN VOGUE PROBABLY GAVE ME THE CREDIBILITY THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. AT THE TIME." It's all posted to Owen's site. @@niceclaup1
this this a million times this. Rick is very talented but you cannot separate his success from Michele especially her investing into him made it possible for him to be in a lot of the positions mentioned in this video.
the nyt visited his paris home and wrote about it. it's gothic teenager 101. skulls, shaved-head people, with slipknot make-up, hairless cats, a painting of a cemetery, art with body fluids, industrial feel. so basic, it makes me doubt his clothing a bit. specially after the balloon boots.
super informative video also loved the use of washer for the outro
7:13 That fact just makes you realize how innovative Rick is regardless of the limits pushed on him
That runway performance with the step dancers was incredible
Love how much substance you’ve packed into this video! tbh this is the first video about Rick Owens I’ve seen that isn’t packed with off-putting hero-worship
I agree . Good video
his big break was a celebrity wearing his clothes for no apparent reason. so u needa be lucky too not just good
I use to work for someone that uses the same methodology and design principles. Unfortunately it’s easier to make clothes then it is to sell them.
fascinating. it really is a ruthless sector of the economy and owning the entire chain of production can be used to advance your craft (or be a cheapskate depending on the person). also your designs are very pleasing and now I know a nice new place to shop! keep it up!
Hi, thanks for this video! I hadn't really heard of this designer as I don't care for trends, but this was a great story to watch! Just goes to show that having a long-term vision, a long-term plan, and going for slow and steady really is the way to go if you are about being around in 5, 10, 25 years. Love this!
The way he recycles and reuses his patterms saved him a
lot of costs tbh. Great business strategy 🖤🖤
All fashion brands do this, some very blatantly. It's basically a necessity to keep up each season. Trick is to make it slightly updated each time so you don't notice it as much
Very cool vid about having control of your own business, also Karsten your clothes are dope too!
ACTUALLY there is another factory in moldova where working conditions are mostly bad and noone seems to talk about it
Great video, loved the B-roll edits for this one Karsten
rick is for people who want to LOOK like they know fashion, look like they're intellectuals, look like they're dark, look like they are bold. people who want the attention. but, like all things california, there is a lot of façade. this community around him is very important for his success.
Great descriptive video loved it 🔥
Very informative.
Well done.
nah, he used more factories, for 2003-2005 he also used another factory in italy, and later on also the factory in moldova owned by olmar
Essentially, what Rick Owens does is what I advise to new designers - build, produce and don't worry about growing too fast, and build a relationship with a manufacturer/factory 🥲
Amazing video!!! You're sew right, you have great points!! And I'm ashamed of myself for not looking more into Rick Owens business model 🙃 .... You're inspiring me to look more into fashion brands business models 🤔
I see the fleece sample, very cool
did people like yohji and kawakubo do the same? what about PAF?
Yohji and Kawakubo are different because of how much of their audience is in Japan, and the Japanese market is sort of it’s own different complicated bubble. For Yohji the majority of his sales are in Japan, but Kawakubo has opened up many CDG stores in the west as well Dover Street Market. Kawakubo and Dover is another excellent business case, but a little bit more complicated and drawn out then Rick.
PAF is still very early in their career and it’s too early to tell, but I hope they do well !
@@karstenkroening thanks for your reply, i di not think about the locale being important,
I hope PAF does well too because I like their way of releasing, going outside of the fashion system
His art is incredible. The man is a genius
This was a great video. Insightful concise
Sounds like a strategic smart business man as well as a talented designer! S/O to him !
The rick ramonas are literally the only clothing item that survived the swag and hypebeast era, and is still embraced by current streetwear and younger generation
Nice video 🎉
fyi.. missed opportunity not putting the link to you brand in the description... and i cannot find the "link in your bio" like you said in the video. i am actually interested in that jacket you have on in the video
beautiful analysis
Rick has amazing foresight and his character shines through his decline of the fast cash path
Happy 23 years Karsten
Such a well made video!
yo that westside gunn instrumental goes hard
rick da numba 1 finessa 😈😈
One very important factor was Ricks relationship with the buyers.
Excellent analysis, thank you. Rick was smart, made all the right moves
He's saving all this money, yet the clothes only get more outrageously expensive.
Its not super high end fashion but Wacko Maria store in Tokyo is absolutely crazy. Pretty similar toRicks one .
What’s the song in the background?
gentle monster stores are also a sick retail experience pretty comparable to the rick owens stores
Sounds to me like the secret ingredient to the fashion industry is brown nosing rich ppl that will fund your projects and gain you elite connections
Woah shout out to you for having a collection
Kitchen Lights background music?
Not quite worker ownership of means of production, but the next best thing.
Did you say Rick Candy? This guy sounds amazing.
That choreography from his Viscous show was amazing
Where's the link to your clothes in the video description
Karstenkroening.com
@@karstenkroening thanks, you have something there. I like the bandana most
Why isn’t there. A. Link in bio
i was thinking the other day about the clothes people i respect wear. one japanese brand (won't name it) gives "oh ao you're the curator". you can always go with yoji or cdg, or sacai and junya if it's easier. the "i own a gallery" look is just north of france, mostly for women. rick is not on the list. (and he's defined not an underground find)
Nice video...
Liked at "This belongs in a Museum!!!!!"
Wow the early footage of Owen he still looked human. Must have been before the Chrome and selling his soul.
“Link in bio” to ur website bruh I don’t have insta where is tha link
Karstenkroening.com
3:43 jawline sharper than my kitchen knife set
I love Rick but 800€ gimp hoodie is crazy, thankfully he has richer customers than me.
Good for him 👏🏿
i thought he released a fake clothing drop to fulfill his record contract and then released the real one and got rich
hardest comment ever
Kitchen lights?
His success was random.
Rick designs clothes for people who look like Dr. Seuss characters. Look up Rae Suzan Strauss the Lava Lady of Los Angeles and see for yourself.
Fashion comes from the streets, dahlings.
good vid 👍👍👍
Next video why rick quality free falls since 5 years despite having a own factory
I would love to know that myself tbh. It’s so hit or miss these days, but it might have something to do with the whole industry overall dropping in quality. less high quality textiles are being produced overall so maybe it just also effect him? Or it could be how I also know that they have had turnover in the last few years of whoever is in charge of materials and fabric sourcing. Either way it’s disappointing
I just see Devils everywhere
Go to a doctor.
Great video, Rick's one of the goats 100%
Sadly only few few people can do this. A system change in some way is necessary
i wasnt ready for the outro are u ok buddy?
Haha he makes it seem like fashion designers don’t get some form of residual income after growing and selling a brand, just adding to this your content is valid bro
saying Lang, Margiela or McQueen HAD to sell, sounds kinda wrong to me.
why?
That's fashion my boy capitalism at it's finest Rick is a rare breed
@@Kondi_U well, as far as i know "Lang" sold to dabble in other artforms.
Margiela sold to, i dont know, disappear from the face of earth and the limelight he never was interessted in
Lee sold mostly to get back at Bernard and out of his LVMH contract, while he also seemed to search for an exit strategy out of the fashion world.
True but margiela still the hardest out of all of them
I think his wife also play some part in it
Why are you styled like My generation and Culture ?
Did he trick the fashion industry? Or was he just smart and savvy and didn’t allow the industry to trick him?
The video starts here
I object to the title somewhat. he avoided being tricked not the other way round
Maxfield denied Rick at first
W earl sweatshirt, thought i was playing it in my background for a second 😭
W vid
great content: --------------- please get a better mic
rick owens actually has his own production company called owenscorp which hes been using since 2016
my guys clothes looks like Rick Owens jr he trying to finesse the TH-cam viewers
rick owens and his wife are total weirdos who had a weird bar called le deux in los angeles..uh hum........
Trick Owens 😎🦾
I think Rick Owens is a genius, but I also think his clothes are overpriced tat. He charges more for a standard cotton t-shirt than Merz b do for a 100% loop wheel. His pants are more expensive than SEH Kelly stuff, which is literally woven by hand, by a 5th generation weaver sitting beside a Scottish loch working by candle light. .
Sustainable savage
Cryptkeeper making clothes for the stupid rich people brigade 😅
,,Moms,, understand and love him since Health Goth, don be ignorant if you talk abouth subject
Do you think Rick Owens would be able to trick you into buying a microphone ?
Basically…he smart. And frugal and sustainable.
Negotiaaaaaaaaaaaation
for a second there i tought u where gonna bad mouth our lord and saviour😁😁
fix your sound bub
This Karsten Kroening dude thinks he's Ye 😂😂😂
no trick, just his own business model 🤔
aint gonna make it big with this kind of kindergarten title.
You don't understand his Culture
and you don't understand ourr culture you play dress up with
Rick Owen’s operates like a private label for himself.