Kim Kardashian has worn a lot of dresses over the years. But one design keeps coming back into the spotlight: the Rick Owens dress, especially the version known as the “Prong Dress.” It shows up on red carpets, late-night TV, and her Instagram feed. Each time, it gets people talking.
So what makes this dress such a big deal? Let’s break down where it came from, how Kim has styled it, and why it turned into one of the most recognizable looks in her wardrobe.
Who Is Rick Owens, and Why Does Kim Love His Designs?
Rick Owens is an American fashion designer known for his dark, sculptural, and often architectural silhouettes. His work sits somewhere between high fashion and avant-garde art. That edgy, minimal style lines up well with the aesthetic Kim has leaned into over the past several years.
Their fashion relationship isn’t new. Kim Kardashian has had a long-running connection with Rick Owens, which has included several neutral-toned outfits, an award presentation, and a photo shoot with the designer’s wife, Michèle Lamy, for Another Magazine. One of their earliest major style moments happened in 2017, when Kim wore a Rick Owens dress to the Family Equality Council’s Impact Awards in Los Angeles.
That white column gown marked something of a turning point. It leaned into a more minimalist, less-is-more approach to fashion, a direction that has shaped many of Kim’s best-known looks since.
The Rise of the Rick Owens “Prong Dress”
If there’s one Rick Owens design tied most closely to Kim Kardashian, it’s the Prong Dress. The design first appeared as part of Rick Owens’s spring/summer 2022 collection and has been reworked in both long and mini versions on the runway since. Its defining feature is a sculptural, cutout bustier paired with a simple, form-fitting tube skirt.
Kim wasn’t just an early adopter. She helped turn the dress into a full-blown fashion moment.
Paris Hilton’s Wedding, 2021
Kim Kardashian was the dress’s original high-profile wearer, stepping out in a black version with a looser, more flowing skirt at Paris Hilton’s wedding in November 2021. That appearance is widely credited as the moment the Prong Dress started building momentum among fashion insiders.
The Late Late Show With James Corden, 2022
Less than a year later, Kim returned to the design, this time choosing the silver column-skirt version for an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. She paired the floor-length silver dress with coordinating metallic heels and kept jewelry minimal, letting the design speak for itself.
That television appearance pushed the dress even further into the mainstream. Other celebrities soon followed her lead. Katy Perry wore the same reflective silver style, while Cardi B opted for a shortened version of it.
The Iridescent Purple Moment, January 2024
By 2024, Kim had built what fashion writers described as her own personal collection of the design. She was reported to own three separate versions of the Rick Owens cutout dress.
In one of her most memorable appearances, Kim shared photos on Instagram wearing a mini, iridescent purple version of the dress, captioning the post “purple reign.” The images appeared to be taken somewhere tropical, based on the sandy, beach-style background. The high-shine, structured cutout bodice gave the look a futuristic, almost otherworldly feel.
Why This Dress Became a Fashion Staple
Part of the dress’s appeal comes down to how wearable it actually is, despite its edgy design. It offers enough support up top that it doesn’t need constant adjusting, which matters a lot for anyone wearing it through a long night out or event.
Over time, the design has been produced in multiple colorways, ranging from black patent leather to deep red and even a green, otherworldly finish. That range gives it flexibility. A celebrity photographed in the black version reads completely differently from one in the metallic silver take, even though the silhouette stays the same.
The dress has also crossed over well beyond Kim’s own circle, showing up on Real Housewives cast members, other pop stars, and fashion-forward influencers. Its fan base has grown to include names like Ayesha Curry, Katy Perry, and Cardi B.
That kind of reach doesn’t happen by accident. A single high-profile wearer can spark interest, but multiple appearances across different platforms, red carpets, talk shows, and Instagram, are usually what turns a dress into a genuine trend.
What This Says About Kim’s Fashion Choices
Kim Kardashian’s fashion decisions rarely feel random. She tends to commit to a designer or a silhouette and wear it repeatedly, in different colors and settings, until it becomes associated with her specifically. The Rick Owens Prong Dress is a clear example of that pattern.
It also reflects a broader shift in her personal style. Instead of one-off statement gowns, Kim has increasingly favored pieces that are sculptural, body-conscious, and minimal on accessories. The Prong Dress checks every one of those boxes.
Where to See the Look
Fans looking for photos of Kim in her various Rick Owens dresses can find them shared directly through her social channels and through fashion coverage online.
Instagram reference: Kim Kardashian in Rick Owens dress
Final Thoughts
The Rick Owens dress, and the Prong style in particular, has become one of the more consistent threads running through Kim Kardashian’s public wardrobe over the past several years. From a black gown at a friend’s wedding, to a silver moment on national television, to a purple version shared straight from vacation, each appearance has added another layer to the story.
Whether or not the dress remains a fixture in her closet going forward, it’s already carved out a place in recent fashion history, one that started on a runway and ended up defining a look that other celebrities wanted to borrow for themselves.
FAQ
When did Kim Kardashian first wear the Rick Owens Prong Dress? She first wore it in a black version at Paris Hilton’s wedding in November 2021.
What makes the Prong Dress different from other Rick Owens designs? It features a sculptural, cutout bustier combined with a simple, form-fitting tube skirt, a silhouette that debuted in Rick Owens’s spring/summer 2022 collection.
Has Kim Kardashian worn more than one version of the dress? Yes. Reports indicate she owns three separate versions, including black, silver, and iridescent purple takes on the design.
Who else has worn the Rick Owens Prong Dress? Other celebrities who have worn the style include Katy Perry, Cardi B, and Ayesha Curry.
Does Kim Kardashian have a longer history with Rick Owens as a designer? Yes. Their fashion connection dates back to at least 2017, when she wore a Rick Owens dress to the Family Equality Council’s Impact Awards.
