A Night to Remember: Celebrating the Relaunch of i-D Magazine in Paris

A Reunion of Icons: Karlie Kloss and Rick Owens Reflect on Their Journey

On a crisp Monday evening in Paris, the fashion world converged to celebrate the relaunch of i-D magazine, a cornerstone of fashion history. The occasion brought together two titans of the industry: supermodel and media mogul Karlie Kloss and the enigmatic fashion designer Rick Owens. Their reunion was a fitting tribute to the magazine’s legacy, as it was Mr. Owens who had first met Ms. Kloss 17 years ago when she was just starting her modeling career, accompanied by her mother to a fitting. Fast-forward to today, Ms. Kloss is not only a household name but also the owner of i-D, which she acquired in 2023 after its previous owner, Vice, filed for bankruptcy. Ms. Kloss expressed her commitment to preserving the magazine’s heritage, stating, “It’s an extraordinary piece of fashion history. I just didn’t want it to die.”

The event was hosted at Mr. Owens’s imposing Left Bank maison, a space as austere as his designs. The gathering was a celebration of i-D’s rebirth under Ms. Kloss’s stewardship, with the new editor-in-chief, Thom Bettridge, emphasizing the mission to restore the magazine’s original spirit while adapting it for the modern era.

The Legacy of i-D: A Holy Text for Fashion Insiders

Founded in 1980 by Terry Jones, i-D was more than a magazine—it was a bible for indie fashion enthusiasts, photographers, and models. For decades, it served as a platform for emerging talent, offering a voice to those who dared to push the boundaries of fashion. Mr. Owens himself recalled how one of his earliest profiles was featured in i-D, a moment that marked a turning point in his career. The magazine’s influence was unparalleled, and its endorsement was akin to a blessing for young creatives.

Under Ms. Kloss’s leadership, i-D aims to honor this legacy while embracing the future. The first print issue of the relaunched magazine features covers with none other than Naomi Campbell, whose first magazine cover was i-D in 1996, and Enza Khoury, an 18-year-old high schooler from Ohio who was discovered through an open casting call. “We just wanted to put our stamp on someone who’s completely new in a way that Terry Jones used to do,” said Mr. Bettridge. This choice reflects the magazine’s commitment to nurturing fresh talent and keeping its founder’s spirit alive.

A Night of Celebration: Fashion Royalty and Emerging Talent Unite

The dinner at Mr. Owens’s home was a blend of nostalgia and new beginnings. Guests included luminaries such as Juergen Teller, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Petra Collins, all of whom had contributed to i-D’s iconic covers over the years. The evening also marked the Parisian debut of Enza Khoury, who was flown in with her father, Adam, for the occasion. Dressed in a sleeveless Gucci dress, Ms. Khoury expressed her awe at the surreal experience of attending Paris Fashion Week for the first time. The next day, she attended the Miu Miu and Kiko Kostadinov shows with the i-D team, a whirlwind introduction to the world she was now a part of.

The Art of Hosting: Rick Owens’s Home as a Gallery of Curiosities

Mr. Owens’s home, a concrete mausoleum-like space filled with his own designs and an eclectic art collection, served as the perfect backdrop for the evening. During the dinner, guests sat in thronelike chairs designed by the host himself, sipping soup from martini glasses. The walls were adorned with pieces from Mr. Owens’s personal collection, including an Art Nouveau urn by Georges Hoentschel and a mural inspired by Picasso’s Guernica created by his daughter, Scarlett Rouge. One corner of the room featured a fossilized Anselm Kiefer suit, which Mr. Owens referred to as “major, major.”

Music, Art, and Fashion: The Night Winds Down

As the evening progressed, the conversation turned from fashion to art. Mr. Owens took on the role of an art docent, pointing out highlights from his collection, including a tank filled with sperm by Tommy Cash, a gonzo musician-artist. The most out-of-place object in the otherwise avant-garde space? A banal copy machine that seemed to belong in a suburban office.

As midnight approached, the guests moved to the living room, where Michèle Lamy, Mr. Owens’s wife, took center stage to sing “You Are So Beautiful” alongside ASAP Rocky, who had arrived during dessert in a Chanel ski cap, snakeskin Puma sneakers, and blacked-out Ray-Bans. The night was a testament to the enduring power of i-D to bring together the old guard and the new wave, all united by a shared love for fashion, art, and creativity.

A New Chapter for i-D: Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future

Karlie Kloss’s acquisition of i-D marks a new era for the magazine, one that balances nostalgia with innovation. The decision to feature both Naomi Campbell and Enza Khoury on the covers of the first issue under her ownership reflects this vision. While the magazine’s print format remains a celebration of its tactile beauty, its digital presence will continue to evolve, ensuring that its influence extends to a new generation of fashion enthusiasts.

Ms. Kloss, dressed in a statuesque