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Avant-garde designer Rick Owens is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his brand with a storewide installation in London's Selfridges. "The World of Rick Owens" is part of the retailer's "The Masters" project, which recognizes 12 designers who are shaping the fashion landscape.
The presentation, curated by Owens, is the largest designer venture to take over Selfridges. The space includes a concept store housed in the Wonder Room, that will sell books, LPs by artists such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop and Art by Georges Hoentshcel. Also available will be a hand-picked selection of furniture and design items from his namesake line.
In addition to art and home goods, Owens, in collaboration with Selfridges, has designed an exclusive collection of 22 garments consisting of leather jackets, t-shirts, and footwear under his line DRKSHDW.
The dark space includes four window displays, designed by Owens and inspired by his favorite opera, Richard Strauss’ Salomé. But, the most impressive aspect of the installation is the 25-foot statue that sits above the entrance of the Selfridges' Oxford Street Location. The 1.5 ton sculpture of Owen's bare torso is made from steel, coated polystyrene and leather hair. A flaming torch sits in the designers right hand and ignites every 15 minutes for 12 hours a day. The piece sculpted by Doug Jennings, who has worked on pieces for Owens' flagship stores, took 12 weeks to construct.
By Erica Euse