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Rick Owens’ latest Berlin event has caused heated debate online. The American fashion designer recently opened a store in Berlin and launched the 12th flagship store with a fashion show. However, the event has caused significant public outrage as netizens criticized some of the models, claiming it evoked the imagery of slavery.
In clips circulating online, shirtless black models can be seen serving drinks to the attendees of the fashion event.
One X user @realestherchucks tweeted:
“The white people are wearing the black outfit while the blacks are bare naked serving drinks..... the story the creative director is telling was so loud that everyone could hear it.”
While many netizens condemn Rick’s style, long-time supporters of the American designer say it was just a bold expression of Rick’s extreme style. They also pointed out that white models were shirtless and serving drinks.
More details on Rick Owens’ Berlin fashion event
On September 26, 2025, Rick Owens announced on Instagram that he had opened his 12th flagship store in Berlin. He wrote:
"LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, MY FIRST PERCEPTIONS OF BERLIN AS A TEEN JUST STARTING TO MAKE AESTHETIC CHOICES, WERE MARLENE DIETRICH AND HANSA STUDIOS, WHERE BOWIE RECORDED HEROES AND MIXED IGGY'S THE IDIOT. AND I NEVER REALLY MOVED ON FROM THERE. BLEAKNESS AND GLAMOUR, FEAR AND FATALISM, DISCIPLINE AND COLLAPSE, RIGOUR AND ROMANCE, FASSBINDER AND CHRISTIANE F. GLITTERING DOOM.”
He added:
“THIS IS STILL ALL I EVER THINK ABOUT. OFFENSIVELY REDUCTIVE? I KNOW THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO BERLIN, BUT THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL LITTLE BREATHLESSLY DELUSIONAL TAKEAWAY. AND NOW I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE OPENING A STORE HERE. AND WHEN I FIRST LOOKED AT THE SPACE I ASKED MYSELF, WHAT WOULD BEUYS DO? I HOPE YOU LIKE IT...”
On October 26, the designer hosted a fashion show in his Berlin store to celebrate the publication of his book Rick Owens, Temple of Love. He announced on Instagram:
“PLEASE JOIN ME AT OUR NY STORE WHERE I WILL BE SIGNING COPIES OF 'RICK OWENS, TEMPLE OF LOVE' FROM 7PM-9PM TOMORROW, TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, TENS DAY OCTOBER 14, 30 HOWARD STREET, 10013 NEW YORK, NY SPACE IS LIMITED.”
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