The gospel according to Owens

Rick Owens, the undisputed 'Dark Lord' of fashion, offers more than just clothes; he offers a philosophy. In 2009, he distilled his radical aesthetic and uncompromising worldview into ten rules for style and life. These are not tips, they are mandates for intentional, audacious self-creation.

Here are all 10 Commandments of style, according to Rick Owens:

1. "Working out is modern couture. No outfit is going to make you look or feel as good as having a fit body. Buy less clothing and go to the gym instead." (The body is the ultimate masterpiece.)

2. "I’m not good at subtlety. If you’re not going to be discreet and quiet, then just go all the way and have the balls to shave off your eyebrows, bleach your hair, and put on some big bracelets." (Commitment over subtlety.)

3. "Keep it simple. You can be as excessive as you want, but just stay minimal. Excessive and minimal is a perfect balance." (Finding power in the stark contrast.)

4. "Hair and shoes say it all. Everything in between is forgivable as long as you keep it simple. Trying to talk with your clothes is passive-aggressive." (Focus your statement on the extremities.)

5. "Black is the most flattering color—it's like a black-and-white movie. And I think that black is sexy, it's about being a grown-up." (The ultimate hue for sophistication and form.)

6. "There's something a little too chatterboxy about color. Right now I want black, for its sharpness and punctuation." (Color is noise; black is a precise statement.)

7. "I want my clothes to be elegant and they have to be modest. You can show off, but there should always be a little bit of hesitation." (Elegance demands restraint.)

8. "Try to project something about yourself, something that you stand for. Be deliberate about how you present yourself." (Style is an intentional declaration of identity.)

9. "Clothes are a little like a uniform. I’m thinking about people in a sect—I want that sense of belonging." (Find power and purpose in your own chosen uniform.)

10. "It’s funny—whenever someone talks about rules, I just want to break them. I recoil from the whole idea of rules." (The ultimate rule: defy the rules.)

Owens' commandments challenge the traditional fashion industry by prioritizing physicality, simplicity, and sheer audacity. His style is a uniform of conviction, demanding that the wearer be as uncompromising as the clothes themselves.