Take a closer look at how Helmut Lang rose from an unknown Austrian designer to a driving force in the fashion industry.

Founded on minimal garments and simple silhouettes, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/helmut-lang-designer-career-90s-minimalism-fashion-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helmut Lang</a> managed to slowly redefine fashion. His brand came to fruition in the '90s, before the introduction of the 24-hour news cycle to record every moment of it. However, his story is one worth remembering, full of understated and sexy looks that changed the trajectory of the fashion industry.&nbsp;
In honor of Lang's 67th birthday, here is a closer look at the designer's success.

The Austrian brand, established in Vienna by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/helmut-lang-designer-career-90s-minimalism-fashion-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lang</a> himself, first showed in Paris in 1986 at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/yves-saint-laurent-fashion-exhibition-paris-six-museums-louvre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pompidou Museum</a>, though it was not included on the Paris Fashion Week calendar. The following year, in 1987, he showed his Men's collection in Paris during the traditional PFW shows for the first time.

Getty Image

1987 Helmut Lang Show

Shortly after moving into his studio in downtown Manhattan in 1997, Lang agreed to prepare his collection to be presented earlier than was standard for New York. The fashion week sequence was Milan-London-Paris-New York, but after his decision, other designers including Clavin Klein followed suit. Soon, the calendar changed to have New York go first.&nbsp;

Source: A Shaded View On Fashion

Changing the Fashion Week Schedule

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. Along with styling many of his shoots, she later appeared in his campaigns, like Spring/Summer 2002.&nbsp;

Lang-Ward Relationship

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

Collection Goes Online in 1998

In 1999, the designer sold 51 percent of the company to Prada Group. The company managed all the finances while Lang still remained in charge of the brand's creative direction.&nbsp;

Anthony Ward

Prada Group

The Austrian designer was known for having a "family" of models that he would use over and over again in campaigns. The group included Cecilia Chancellor, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/young-kate-moss-90s-style-runway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kate Moss</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/model-stella-tennant-dead-at-50" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stella Tennant</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/save-the-date/amber-valletta-celebration-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amber Valletta</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/christy-turlington-age-young-fashion-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christy Turlington</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/balmain-spring-summer-2022-campaign-supermodels-naomi-campbell-carla-burni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Campbell</a>, Kristen Owen, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/linda-evangelista-photos-2022-failed-coolsculpting-cosmetic-procedure-lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linda Evangelista</a>. Lang favored hairstylist <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/dior-fall-winter-2022-maria-grazia-chiuri" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guido Paulau</a> and photographer Elfie Semotan, both of whom became regulars at his shoots and shows.

Photo: Getty Images

The Lang "Family" Develops

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

7 of Helmut Lang's Career-Defining Moments

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