Rick Owens Sneakers Real vs. Fake Guide 2025: How Can I Tell If It Is Real?

What is Rick Owens?

Rick Owens is an American fashion designer based in Paris who is known for his experimental, unconventional, and "grungy glamorous" designs.Owens began his namesake label in 1994,and it was not until 7 years later that he experienced his first success after Kate Moss appeared wearing one of his designs in Vogue Paris. His determination to take his brand to the next level led him to present his first show at New York Fashion Week in 2002.

Renowned as the Dark Lord of Fashion, Rick Owens has the unique ability to cast his dark shadow over brands far removed from his own DNA, such as Birkenstock or Veja, Adidas, or Champion, 'blessing' their fashion items with his incredible talent.The fashion designer juxtaposes high-quality fabric with an exaggerated, often dark, minimal, and industrial aesthetic —occasionally mixing in various occult motifs. He’s redefined various men’s and women’s clothing silhouettes while giving a new take on athletic leisure.Owens's designs are often asymmetrical and combine different materials and textures, such as leather, fur, flax, and metal. 

Who is Rick Owens for:

• Fashion enthusiasts looking for bold, unique, and often avant-garde designs .

• Individuals who appreciate high-quality materials and construction, even if the price point is high.

• People comfortable with a dark and sometimes "edgy" aesthetic.

Where to Buy Real Rick Owens?

Buying from official Rick Owens stores or reputable online retailers significantly reduces the risk of getting fakes,such as:

• SSENSE(up to 7% super cash back)

• Nordstrom

• Saks Fifth Avenue(up to 2% super cash back)

• FARFETCH USA(up to 2% super cash back)

• StockX(up to 2% super cash back)

• LAB Store London

• GOAT

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How to Spot Fake Rick Owens Sneakers?

1. The Shoe Box

Look at the box and its label. Real Rick Owens shoes come in a strong, good-quality box, usually with the brand's logo and info.Ensure the label on the box looks right and matches the shoes' style and color.

The real label has thicker, more solid text.And the letters in “MADE IN ITALY” are close to each other.However, the fake one has thinner prints.“MADE IN ITALY” has too much space between each letter.

2. The Serial Number

The Rick Owens label uses a specific serial code system that denotes the year and season of production, and the sub-line to which the garment belongs. Finding discrepancies between the serial code and the product received is a surefire way of distinguishing a fake Rick Owens product from a genuine article.

The serial number is unique to each authentic pair and is usually inside the shoe. 

• On low-tops: It's on the heel area inside your shoes.

• On high-tops: Next to the zipper, visible when you open it.

Real serial numbers have thick, solid writing, while fake ones have thinner, smaller letters and numbers. Also, check for proof of purchase, like receipts or certificates, to ensure the shoes are real.

3. The Toe Box

When you check the shoes, focus on the toe box. Real Rick Owens sneakers have a unique silhouette with a sleek and smooth design,which shows they're well-made.Fake shoes might have weird shapes, like bulges or uneven areas, which can show that they're not well-made.

The toe box area is much higher and raised on a fake pair. This area is also more arched and rounded than on real.

4. The Stitching

Real Rick Owens sneakers have neat stitching all over, showing good craftsmanship. No extra threads hanging and all stitches are neatly in place.Consistently aligned stitches, especially in the toe box area.

The fake sneakers have longer and thicker stitching lines compared to real.Extra threads are also found hanging on the fake pair.Stitches are often out of line, particularly noticeable in the toe box area.

5. The Insole

Real ones often have insoles with clear branding, like the Rick Owens logo or text.Deeply engraved “Rick Owens” text logo, fitting into the leather.The fake text is level with the rest of the insole.The text is just outlined, but not fit deep into the leather.

6. The Tongue

Real Rick Owens sneakers have special badges inside, but only for high-tops. There are three types: one with just the logo, another with a picture of Rick Owens, and one with a reversed picture. 

1)Logo: Real ones have thinner stitches for the logo badge at the top, while fake ones have thicker threads.

Look at the bottom as well: see how the fake logo is completely filled with white threads. The authentic one has more detail, with a few lines cut in the middle instead of filled with white stitches.

2) Picture of Rick Owens: This is the black-on-white picture of Rick Owens.real stitches have denser stitching with thicker threads, while fake ones have fewer and thinner stitches. The fake stitches may also be longer than the real ones.

3) Reversed picture: Real snakers look distressed for the inverted picture badge, even if the shoes are new. Fake ones may be filled entirely with white without any distressing. And the fake threads are thicker and less dense than the real ones.

7. Back of the Shoe

The back tongue is wide and short on replica shoes, whereas the brand's authentic tongue is thin and long. This difference in size and thickness is completely visible to the naked eye.

8. Holes in the Side of the Shoe

The real Rick Owens sneakers have the wholes holes placed on a straight imaginary line.And The two holes are perfectly aligned. 

On the fake ones, the two holes are placed irregularly, as they don’t fit on a straight line.And these two holes are made irregularly. They are generally not aligned and are sometimes not the same size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Rick Owens?

The brand operates under OWENSCORP, the company he set up with his partner Michèle Lamy in 2004 after moving to Paris.

Do Rick Owens run big?

Rick Owens shoes generally fit true to size. The main line and DRKSHDW shoes come in half sizes (men’s US 5 to US 13, women’s US 4 to US 12).All in all, although your regular size is likely to fit, most regular Rick Owens customers opt for a size down for a more fitted and comfortable fit.

Is Rick Owens a luxury brand?

Yes. Rick Owens is a luxury brand on par with Hermes and Chanel IMO.

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