Rick Owens and The Human Knapsacks

Picture: Vanessa Friedman/Twitter

In a fashion industry increasingly dominated by trending hashtags, designers constantly have to come up with new ways to create the most memorable runway experience of the season. While Givenchy eclipsed the competition at New York Fashion Week with its quiet, subtle 9/11 tribute show, back in Paris, Rick Owens surprised his audience when he sent models down the runway wearing other human being as accessories.

This comes after Owens made headlines for punching his lead model at his latest menswear show, and his infamous "penis collection" earlier this year.

The New York Times style critics were all over his case when the first "human knapsacks" made their apperance, in what seems to come right out of a Stefon skit on Saturday Night Live. But it wasn't clear whether Owens meant it as comedy, or simply to outrage the Internet yet again. The designer excused himself after taking his bow, and avoided questions from the press.

Representants speaking on behalf of Owens after the show said that the message was "women supporting women." Thoughts?