Helmut Lang Fall 2011 Preview

 

Fashion Month is over, preview season has started and Helmut Lang was my first showroom visit for Fall 2011. Architecturally-inspired design and a neutral color palette are a consistent draw with this label and it's always exciting to see that minimalism can still remain fresh time after time.

This season Helmut Lang showed that minimalist design and innovative fabric technology are great bedfellows. Case-in-point, rubber-coating technology, a staple in the denim industry, was used on a sweater knit top as well as the cowl neck of a black woven dress. Who knew you could do that. I also couldn't help but admire the dress made up of loops of jersey. How that's done, I couldn't even began to guess. Indigo and gray denim with darting at the knees was a carryover from Spring (hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it), but a denim jacket with black suede paneling (above) was new and covetable.

I've never previewed Helmut Lang accessories before, so getting a first look was a treat and it was really hard to pick a favorite. First, I saw the spheroid (football) shaped suede wristlets and I thought I loved them. Then, I saw the leather bags with metal paneling (not shown) that looked like miniature works of installation art and I thought I loved those more. Next, I saw the oversized hobo bag with a zipper that went around about 200 degrees for easy access and thought I liked it. Then, I saw the same bag could also be turned 90 degrees and carried lengthwise and thought I love this even more. Last, but not least, I saw the clutches with the horsehair whips and thought I have no love left. I want it all.