Rick Owens Spring / Summer 2017

PARIS — Over 15 million years ago the family of mammals known as Odobenidae was home to at least 20 distinct species, but today is the sole residence of Odobenus rosmarus, which in schoolbook parlance is known simply as the walrus. These carnivorous mammals make their homes on sea ice in the Arctic regions throughout the world and survive on eating mollusks and have inspired everything from a Marvel super villain to the Beetles. In “Glass Onion,” John Lennon quipped the Walrus was Paul, assuming too few knew. Suffice to say early Thursday evening at Palais de Tokyo, however nearly everyone assembled around its subterranean runway came to know Walrus also as the name of the women’s Spring / Summer 2017 collection by Rick Owens. There is an undeniable grace to these tusked cetacean creatures and that also was true of this collection for spring, with its draped fabrics that much like the designer’s work throughout his career assume an almost ceremonial air. On the night nine models from across the network including Jay Wright, Klementyna Dmowska, Wangy, Lia Pavlova, Maria Clara, Olivia Jansing, Julie Hoomans, Odette Pavlova, and Liza Ostanina featured on the runway. If last season was all about terrestrial molecules evaporating into the heavenly aether, then this collection pegged its fluidity to the waters that will one day consume the face of the planet. Goo goo g’joob! Credits include: Client, Rick Owens; Collection, Women’s Ready-To-Wear Spring / Summer 2017; Clothing desig