NEW YORK, Jul 15, 2002/ --- Helmut Lang will present his spring/summer 2003 women's collection in Paris in October.

Last month he showed his latest men's collection in the City of Light, his first catwalk event in Paris in four years.

There are no details yet in terms of specific timing and venue, but the Espace Commines is certainly a possibility.

Lang just presented his men's show in the intimate 200-person space, and he frequently staged his joint men's and women's shows there when he was still based in Europe.

Lang moved his headquarters from Vienna to New York in 1998, and subsequently began showing in his new hometown, before the European seasons.

It caused quite a shake-up in the fashion scene, legitimizing New York as a fashion capital and inspiring other major designers to follow suit.

Lang had planned to show a joint men's and women's collection in Paris once again last fall, but cancelled it in the wake of September 11.

While Lang's decision to show in Paris this fall could negatively impact New York in the cross-continent fashion tug of war, Big Apple designers are surely grateful that his New York slot - 2pm on September 20 - is now freed up.

The major names are currently vying for the limited spots in the first three days of New York's rescheduled fashion week, set to run from September 18 to 23 as not to conflict with commemorative events surrounding September 11.

The last three days of New York Fashion Week are filled with availabilities, but, afraid of weak weekend attendance as buyers and editors head to Milan, no one is snatching them up.

Several designers, including Diane von Furstenberg, Nicole Miller and Behnaz Sarafpour, have opted to jump the gun instead, and are planning shows for September 17.