Rick Owens, Temple of Love – A Monument to Difference and Beauty at Palais Galliera June 28 – January 4, 2026

The Palais Galliera is preparing to host one of the most anticipated fashion exhibitions of the year: Rick Owens: Temple of Love. This is not just a retrospective of a designer’s work, but a sweeping meditation on what it means to create, to love, and to exist in a world that often resists difference.

Rick Owens, born in California in 1961 and now a Parisian by adoption, he is even learning French, has long been a figure of both reverence and provocation in the fashion world. His journey from patternmaker in Los Angeles to global icon is a story of relentless innovation—one that has seen him repurpose humble materials like jerseys, military bags, and leather into garments that are at once sculptural and deeply personal. He began in Los Angeles as a patternmaker for Michele Lamy before launching his own label in 1992. Owens’ palette is dominated by the somber and the sublime: black, muted grays, and his signature “dust” tone, which seems to capture the passage of time itself. Rick Owens reveals the multiple inspirations behind his creations, from Joris-Karl Huysmans to modern and contemporary art, as well as classic Hollywood films from the early 20th century. As artistic director of the exhibition, he imagines, together with Palais Galliera, an experience that extends to the museum’s façade and garden.

But Owens’ work is about much more than aesthetics. His runway shows are renowned for challenging norms, and I’m proud to have been present at his debut Paris catwalk presentation. The setting was intimate, with men boldly wearing heels, and it has been thrilling to witness his journey as he has evolved into nothing short of an icon. In place of traditional models, audiences have witnessed stepping performers—Afro-American dancers whose bodies become instruments of rhythm and resistance. That show remains one of my all time favourites. I think some of the audience was a little scared. The designer’s commitment to challenging norms is further evidenced by his bold choices: exposing the male form in ways rarely seen in fashion and celebrating the strength and autonomy of women. Each collection is a political act, a response to a world in crisis, and a call for more love, more beauty, and more acceptance.

The exhibition at Palais Galliera is a fitting tribute to Owens’ vision. More than 100 silhouettes, drawn from his archives, are joined by personal artifacts, videos, and unique installations. The influence of artists like Gustave Moreau, Joseph Beuys, and Steven Parrino is evident, offering visitors a glimpse into the creative wellsprings from which Owens draws his inspiration. The presence of Michèle Lamy, Rick Owens’ wife, resonates throughout the exhibition—a fitting tribute, given her central role in his journey as a designer. From the days he crafted patterns for her own label to her decision to close her brand and support his vision, Lamy has remained a vital force behind Owens’ ascent.  There is even a recreation of their Californian bedroom serving as a poignant reminder of the personal behind the public.

Beyond the museum walls, Owens’ vision extends to the façade and gardens. Statues are wrapped in glittering embroidered fabric, and brutalist cement sculptures evoke his celebrated furniture designs. The flowerbeds, planted with varieties he favoured in Los Angeles, add a living, breathing element to the exhibition.

Rick Owens: Temple of Love is more than a fashion exhibition. It is a sanctuary for those who believe in the transformative power of beauty, a monument to difference, and a testament to the enduring relevance of one of fashion’s most original voices.

Palais Galliera, Fashion Museum of Paris
10, avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie
75116 Paris

Hours
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Friday late opening until 9pm