Helmut Lang 1998 Review
A black suit, a black belt, a white collar shirt, and a pair of black derbys. A very important outfit which we believe could be the sole basis and prime identification of an essential homme. Or in fashion school terms, this could be his bodice, his genetic makeup, his skeleton. Helmut Lang’s Spring 1998 show amongst other designers at the time including Raf Simons, Prada Homme, and Calvin Klein for men provided a very simple perspective on menswear. They reduced the complex codes that Armani and Christian Dior Monsieur men’s shows provided and gave us a much more edified silhouette that remains simple in form and less challenging to the eye in comparison to tweed suits, wide slacks, berets, and ties. We like to compare fashion to scientific discoveries. Perhaps not as life-changing as scientific discoveries as these could be perceived a bit more pretentious but they are creative discoveries nevertheless and certainly deserve their fair share of praise. Once a shift or new way of wearing clothing has been introduced it’s cemented in history and everything following the latter is obligated to work off these newly introduced discoveries and inventions. What is particularly interesting about this collection is the conceptual ideas that are present as you pay attention to each outfit. You notice small details, white collar shirts that have been juxtaposed with trench coat detailing, bulletproof vest tops paired with suit trousers, missing waistbands on black trousers, and paint-stained blue jeans paired with formal blazers. A very subtle form of deconstruction fashion which we see more and more in the 2000s. Minimal deconstruction is what we call the equivalent of abstract expressionism in fashion. Here are a few looks from the collection taken from vogue.com. P.S Love French Is Better
