Rick Owens SS26 was wetRick Owens SS26 was wet

TL;DR:

• Rick Owens turned Palais de Tokyo into an apocalyptic water world for SS26
• The collection combined leather, harnesses and fringes with surprisingly light materials
• Black dominated, but burn orange and sand tones brought warmth
• The finale was pure performance art: soaking-wet models on metal scaffolding
• The show was also an ode to Owens’ own heritage, paralleling his Temple of Love exhibition

For his SS26 show during Paris Fashion Week, Rick Owens transformed the iconic terrace of Palais de Tokyo into a kind of apocalyptic water world. No sleek runway or studio. It became a fountain, a metal climbing structure, and models climbing dripping out of the water. We were there on behalf of Winkelstraat, and yes, this is a show you don't forget.

Also read our Paris Fashion Week 2026 highlights.

Photo: @rickowens

What did we see on the catwalk? Harnesses, leather and fringes

The collection itself was classic Rick Owens, but with a twist. Think leather trousers that turn into boots, fringes, vests and harnesses with lots of straps, and fabrics printed with urinals. Yes, really.

Sculptural silhouettes that never became too much

Silhouettes were grand and sculptural, but never too much. There was a kind of lightness to it that made even heavy materials like leather and canvas not seem heavy, more like a kind of second skin. The harnesses came in all kinds of shapes: from classic kinky to architectural.

Photo: @koso Backstage at Rick Owens SS26

Which colors dominated the Rick Owens SS26 collection?

As always, black set the tone, but there was nuance in it. Muted grey, burn orange and sand-colored knitwear. It was, as always, really Rick Owens, but with a slightly softer tone.

There was also something very nostalgic in the collection, which makes sense given that his new exhibition Temple of Love had just opened right across the way. This show was also an ode to who Rick has always been. How different was the mood a season earlier? Also read about the Rick Owens FW25 show, where the audience itself played the leading role.

Why was the finale of Rick Owens SS26 so memorable?

The finale was everything. Models climbed the scaffolding like some kind of, soaking wet and somber. A kind of performance art about collapsing and rising again, something this generation can relate to. Just like the models underwater, it felt like a kind of baptism. The show ended with the big fountains, making a spectacular end to the show.

That theatrical element is something more and more fashion houses are embracing. Think of how Jonathan Anderson at Dior also chose experience over convention.

Frequently asked questions about Rick Owens SS26

Where did the Rick Owens SS26 show take place?

The show took place on the terrace of Palais de Tokyo in Paris, during Paris Fashion Week. Rick Owens transformed the location into an apocalyptic water world with fountains and metal climbing structures. Models emerged dripping from the water, which made the show look more like performance art than a traditional fashion show.

What is the connection between the show and the Temple of Love exhibition?

The Temple of Love exhibition opened at the same time right across from Palais de Tokyo. Both projects reflected on Rick Owens’ own heritage and career. The SS26 collection therefore felt nostalgic and personal, like an ode to everything the brand stands for.

How does Rick Owens SS26 relate to earlier collections?

The SS26 collection was recognizably Rick Owens -- leather, dark palettes, sculptural silhouettes -- but with a softer tone. Burn orange and sand tones brought warmth. The show itself was more extreme than ever, but the clothing balanced that out with a surprising lightness and wearability.

Read next: A look inside Flâneur: Thinking Out Loud.