7 memorable moments about Helmut Lang’s career-Fashion Trends

The Austrian brand, founded by Lang himself in Vienna, was first launched in Paris in 1986 at the Pompidou Museum.

Show Helmut Lang 1987

The Austrian brand, founded by Lang himself in Vienna, was first launched in Paris in 1986 at the Pompidou Museum, although it was not included in the Paris Fashion Week calendar. The following year, 1987, he presented his menswear collection for the first time in Paris in the traditional PFW shows.

Fashion week schedule change

Soon after moving to his studio in midtown Manhattan in 1997, Lang agreed to prepare his collection for an earlier-than-standard New York showcase. The fashion week sequence was Milan-London-Paris-New York, but following his decision, other designers including Clavin Klein followed suit. Soon, the calendar changed to have New York go first.

The Lang-Ward Relationship

Melanie Ward and Helmut Lang developed a close relationship in the 90s. He invited the famous stylist, who discovered Kate Moss, to his first show in Paris. As well as styling many of his coats, Melanie Ward later appeared in Lang’s campaigns, such as Spring/Summer 2002.

First online collection in 1998

Helmut Lang started a wave of online sales in 1998 when he streamed his entire collection. This launched helmutlang.com

Pradas Corporation

In 1999, the designer sold 51% of the company to Prada Group. The company manages all the finances while Lang remains in charge of the creative direction of the brand.

Lang’s “family” grows

The Austrian designer is known for having a “family” of models that he will use repeatedly in campaigns. The team included Cecilia Chancellor, Kate Moss, Stella Tennant, Amber Valletta, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Kristen Owen and Linda Evangelista. Lang supports hairstylist Guido Paulau and photographer Elfie Semotan, both of whom have become regulars on his shoots and shows.

Lang left the brand in 2004

Without informing his thousands of fans and followers, Helmut left the brand in 2004. He now resides on a long island in New York, while his legacy lives on through the brand.