American fashion designer Rick Owens is well-known for his innovative designs that frequently defy accepted aesthetics. In his world, clothing is more than just a piece of fabric; it is a potent symbol of social standing and individual identity.
Imagine traversing a busy city street where each person's attire reveals something about their upbringing, way of life, or religious convictions. While some choose casual clothing to convey creativity or relaxation, others wear suits to represent professionalism. According to Owens, even the smallest clothing details can disclose important facets of a person's status and values.
Consider clothing as a language, for example, in which every article of clothing is a word and every ensemble is a sentence. Clothes convey different messages about their wearers, much like words convey different meanings. Color, fabric quality, or design can all be subtle indicators of a person's taste, social status, or cultural affinities, even if they make an effort to keep things simple or understated.
Owens stresses that there is always a hidden message being communicated, regardless of how subtly one dresses. Every article of clothing you choose to wear is like leaving a breadcrumb trail of who you are.
By emphasizing this idea, Owens challenges people to consider their fashion choices carefully and realize that they frequently have ramifications that go beyond personal taste.