California-native Rick Owens started producing garments under his own name in 1994, after studying patternmaking at L.A. Trade Technical College and a few years working at various designer-knockoff houses. He made his runway debut in 2002 at New York Fashion Week and went on to win the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent. Known for his signature 'glunge' aesthetic (a word he uses to describe his fusion of glamour and grunge), Owens has become a favorite among celebrities including Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, and Kanye West.

"Whenever someone talks about rules, I just want to break them. I recoil from the whole idea of rules."