Helmut Lang, a designer who has helped redefine modern fashion in the past five years in language as spare and sober as his persona, has been a cult-like creator of eye-crossingly intellectual clothes. This could change with the introduction of a casual collection of jeans, khakis, leathers and accessories for men and women called Helmut Lang Jeans.
It will be sold wholesale starting next month and arrive in stores in the summer of 1997. The designer's stiff blue jeans with cuffs turned up at least six inches helped bring back dark blue denims.The collection, which will be supported by a global advertising campaign, is being produced under license with GTR Group S.p.A., an Italian company that makes jeans brands like American Legend.
Onward Kashiyama distributes Helmut Lang's top collection in the United States and Asia.
Lang, who is based in his native Austria, is looking for an apartment in New York and for boutique space. He has three stores, in Austria, Italy and Germany.
- Constance C.R. White