Designer Ricks Owens joins forces with Dr. Martens for his third collaboration launching this week. The fall 2022 capsule consists of two boot styles, the 1460 offering in black leather and the 1918 featuring a striking, platinum-colored cowskin upper.
Campaign images feature performance artist Ron Athey, who Owens has known for over 40 years through their days taking in part in Los Angeles’ nascent punk scene. “The first time Dr. Martens really registered for me was when I saw them on Ron in the early ’90s when he was working at the most intimidatingly authentic punk store on Melrose Avenue,” Owens said in an exchange with WWD.
Sharing his enduring connection with Dr. Martens, Owens said in a press release, “When I was a teen and becoming physically aware, I saw how a tightly laced ankle leading to a broad, solidly planted foot had a simple, modest, industrial masculinity, almost like a corset between a muscled calf and a sturdy foot that acted as a stoic ballast. Dr. Martens exemplified this best. I saw them on all the guys flying through the air at the (rock) shows I went to the: Fear, Black Flag, The Screamers, Alien Sex Fiend.
Dr. Martens became a symbol of a raw and sweaty vitality that I thought I might be able to pull off… and for a minute, I think I did.
“Coming full circle to partner with Dr. Martens 40 years later leads me to lacing them with pearl-colored cotton laces in a geometric pattern that I use often as a symbol of our eternal collective search for rational order: signs of hope and affectionate blessing on the perpetual reckless of youth.”
Priced at $370 and $750 respectively, Dr. Martens and Rick Owens 1460 and 1918 boots launch on drmartens.com on October 14th.
