Michele Lamy

SUMMARY

Michèle Lamy is a French-born artist and designer recognised for her multifaceted contributions to fashion, art, and culture. As the co-founder of Owenscorp alongside her husband, iconic fashion designer Rick Owens, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the luxury brand’s avant-garde aesthetic. Beyond fashion, Lamy’s influence spans music, performance art, and curatorial projects.

HISTORY

Born in 1944 in Jura, France, Michèle Lamy hails from a family with deep ties to the fashion industry; her grandfather crafted accessories for the legendary couturier Paul Poiret. She pursued law and studied under philosopher Gilles Deleuze during the 1960s and 70s. Her diverse career includes roles as a defense lawyer, cabaret dancer, and restaurateur, reflecting her eclectic artistic journey. In 1984, Lamy launched her own luxury fashion brand, Lamy, in Los Angeles, where she also co-founded two influential nightclubs, Café des Artistes and Les Deux Cafés.

It was during this period that she met Rick Owens, who joined her team as a pattern cutter. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a personal partnership, leading to their marriage. In 2004, Lamy and Owens co-founded Owenscorp, a creative enterprise encompassing fashion, furniture, and design. While Owens focuses on fashion design, Lamy oversees the brand’s furniture and interior design projects, contributing to its cohesive and distinctive aesthetic.

Lamy’s collaborations extend beyond fashion. She has worked with jeweller Loree Rodkin on exclusive jewellery collections and participated in music videos for artists like FKA twigs and Black Asteroid. Her band, LAVASCAR, formed with artist Nico Vascellari and her daughter Scarlett Rouge, showcases her musical talents. her artistic ventures include curating installations such as “Genius You” at Selfridges in London and “What Are We Fighting For?” at the Venice Biennale. And her works often explore themes of identity, conflict, and transformation, engaging audiences in immersive experiences.

In 2018, Lamy introduced “Lamyland,” a boxing installation at Selfridges, reflecting her long-standing passion for the sport. The space serves as a dynamic environment for performance and community engagement, blending athleticism with artistic expression. Lamy’s contributions to culture and fashion have earned her recognition in publications like Vogue and Forbes. Her unique blend of style, intellect, and creativity continues to influence and inspire across multiple disciplines.

VISION

Michèle Lamy envisions a world where creativity transcends traditional boundaries. She advocates for the fusion of art, fashion, and performance, believing that interdisciplinary approaches lead to innovative and authentic expressions. Central to Lamy’s vision is the celebration of individuality and personal expression. She encourages embracing one’s unique identity and challenges societal norms, fostering an environment where diversity and authenticity are paramount. Lamy sees collaboration as a powerful tool for cultural transformation. Through her various projects, she brings together artists, designers, and performers, creating communities that thrive on shared creativity and mutual respect.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Michèle Lamy’s brand is to cultivate artistic innovation by integrating fashion with other creative disciplines. This approach aims to produce works that are not only visually striking but also conceptually profound. Lamy’s brand seeks to empower individuals by providing platforms for self-expression. Through fashion, art, and performance, it encourages people to explore and assert their identities confidently. The fashion brand is committed to building inclusive creative spaces that welcome diverse voices and perspectives. By fostering such environments, it aims to inspire collaboration and innovation across cultural and artistic divides.

KEY PEOPLE

• Michèle Lamy – Co-Founder and Executive Manager, Art/Furniture

• Rick Owens – Co-Founder and Creative Director

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Under the Rick Owens label, the luxury fashion brand offers menswear and womenswear collections characterized by their avant-garde designs and distinctive silhouettes. These collections reflect a commitment to innovation and artistic expression. Michèle Lamy oversees the creation of furniture and homeware under the Owens brand. These pieces are crafted with a focus on artistry and functionality, often showcased in exhibitions at renowned institutions like the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris and MOCA in Los Angeles. The brand engages in collaborative projects that intersect fashion, art, and performance, including installations, music videos, and live performances.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

At The Fashion Awards 2024, Michèle Lamy presented the Cultural Innovator Award, acknowledging individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape. Lamy’s distinctive style and contributions to fashion have been featured in major publications such as Vogue and The Guardian, highlighting her influence and status as a cultural icon. Through her collaborations with artists and designers, Lamy has been part of projects that have received critical acclaim, further cementing her reputation as a key figure in contemporary fashion and art.

REFERENCES

1.  “Michèle Lamy, the style queen who packs a punch”. the Guardian. 
2. “Michèle Lamy: Inside The Modern Polymath’s Extraordinary Universe”. Highsnobiety. 
3. “Inside the Extraordinary Universe of Michèle Lamy”. Highsnobiety.
4. . “Les égéries de la mode : Michèle Lamy, muse du créateur Rick Owens”. Les Inrockuptibles 
5.  “Michèle Lamy, the style queen who packs a punch”. The Guardian.
6.  “Les Deux Cafes’Inside Story”. Los Angeles Times.
7.  “FASHION : Michele Lamy Somehow Knits It All Together”. Los Angeles Times.
8. “How to Live Beautifully With Michele Lamy”. Dazed Digital.
9.  “open-hearted (and underwater) with michèle lamy”. i-D.
10. “Michèle Lamy”. Interview Magazine
11.  “Constructing Rick Owens’ Creative Bubble”. Business Of Fashion. 
12.  “Five Reasons Why Michèle Lamy Is The Coolest Sexagenerian Ever”. Style Caster.
13.  “Inside the Extraordinary Universe of Michèle Lamy”. Highsnobiety.
14.  “PEOPLE: MICHÈLE LAMY”. Interview Germany.
15. “Michèle Lamy Profile: Rick Owens’ Greatest Muse Casts a Fabulous Spell”. www.lofficielusa.com.
16. “Nils Butle and Michele Lamy for Vogue”. F.Y!. 
17. “Michèle Lamy: è lei la musa ispiratrice di Rick Owens”. MAM-e
18. “At Home With Michele Lamy: The Woman Behind Rick Owens”. Forbes.
19. “Michele Lamy spills on working with FKA twigs”. Dazed Digital.
20.  “The Jeweler With a Shaman Dentist and a Boxing Habit”. The Cut.
21. “MICHÈLE LAMY AND ASAP ROCKY”. Interview Germany 
22.  “Rick Owens and Michèle Lamy Discuss Collaboration & Their Relationship”. Hypebeast.
23.  “open-hearted (and underwater) with michèle lamy”. i-D.
24. “Michele Lamy is setting up her own boxing gym in Selfridges”. Dazed Digital. 
25. “Michèle Lamy resurrects the zine in the name of outsider art”. Document Journal.
26. “Michele Lamy wants to cast you in her new project”. Dazed Digital.