SS19 Rick Owens “Lazarus” Megatooth Sandals

Since founding his label in 1994, Rick Owens has consistently rejected conventional beauty in favor of something more raw and confrontational. His work draws from a wide range of influences, including ancient mythology, underground subcultures, brutalist architecture and contemporary dance. The result is a visual language marked by exaggerated proportions, monochromatic palettes and sculptural silhouettes. In many ways they resemble modern armor.

“They have been armor for sure… Everybody would like to project a sense of strength and honor, so clothes as armor do not necessarily have to mean defense. They can also mean something a little more elegant. But it is true, my clothes have become very sensual of late…”

You can see this in his choice of materials. Leather, cotton, horsehair and rubber are often left untreated or distressed, which adds to a sense of lived‑in austerity. With his monochromatic theme he creates pieces that convey strength and presence.

The Lazarus Megatooth sandals were inspired by historical gladiator footwear. The multi‑strap leather upper wraps around the foot and ankle, creating a sense of structure and restraint. Their standout feature is the oversized sole, which is thick, jagged and functional, echoing Owens’s ongoing interest in utilitarianism and exaggeration.

The name “Lazarus” adds another layer of meaning. In the biblical narrative Lazarus was raised from the dead, a metaphor that aligns with Owens’s practice of reanimating past styles in radical new forms. Here the ancient gladiator is not merely revived but transformed: the silhouette is elongated, the sole is weaponized and the purpose is elevated from practical to symbolic.

Tagged Size 43