Rick Owens. Bodybag suit. Black cotton with zippers. 2014

Black cotton bodybag suit, all in one with metal zippers.

Given by Charlie Porter

This is part of a group of early 2010s menswear donated to the V&A by Charlie Porter, one of the most influential British menswear fashion journalists of the early 21st century. In 2000 Porter became deputy fashion editor for The Guardian, and since then, has worked as an associate editor for GQ and deputy editor for Fantastic Man. He currently writes for The Financial Times as their menswear critic, in addition to his freelance work, DJ-ing and maintaining an active blogging presence online. Porter is particularly known for his understanding of contemporary menswear and familiarity with developing streetwear and alternative trends.

At the time of the donation, Porter provided commentary on many of the pieces. He said of this piece:

"Bodybag suit - I adored this design idea from Rick Owens. He called it a body bag, and in the butt of the outfit there's a big zippered panel that opens like a hatch. It's completely perverse, and an idea he used on jumpsuits in a show in Paris. I always go and talk with Rick afterwards, because he's so nice, and he's always got something hilarious to say. There were a few people in front of me, asking him questions about the collection, all diligently taking notes, expecting something serious or profound. "Well," he said to them, "this is a collection about power tops and sloppy bottoms." Hilarious. I also had this as a nylon jumpsuit, and the next season I wore it to his show. I went backstage to see him afterwards, and when he saw it, he turned me round, and tried to unzip me. He got about halfway."

- Daniel Milford-Cottam
20/05/2016

T.112-2015