Helmut Lang: Subtle Colors For The Edgy Gentleman
By Mari Davis

PARIS, Jan 26, 2004/ FW/ --- “It’s the best menswear show I’ve seen this week,” the gentleman from China’s Ministry of Trade told me as we were leaving the Helmut Lang show last Sunday. And he was right!

This season, the designer decided to give his fans and clients “colors,” the Helmut Lang way.

Subtle tones of blues, grays and metallic, with suits matched with blue ties on blue shirts or gray ties on gray shirts.

On tuxedos, the lapel has the color, with the tie matching the color of the lapel.

It is ingenious, it is excellent, it is going to be the big hit of the season come fall.

The tailoring was impeccable, the cut decisive. Helmut Lang wants his gentlemen to be sharp looking, with a touch of allure and sensuality.

His transparent shirts giving a glimpse of what’s within, not showing much, and you are left to imagine the rest – the epitome of sensuality.

The designer did not stop there. He decided to work on the glitterati, sending metallic jackets on the runway. And if the glitter was not on the clothes, it was on the accessories.

Chains on the belt loop runs to the hip pocket, reminiscent of circa Industrial Revolution gentlemen, the spearheads of industries and technological breakthrough of that era.

There’s an air of vibrancy among the Helmut Lang gentlemen, a “ can do” attitude surrounds him. In his quiet way, he say, “I’m ready to tackle any challenge.”

The designer hit the right timing too. According to a report by the Lincoln Financial Group, the U.S. is on the verge of the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of America.

The economic boom of the 1990s created an unprecedented amount of personal wealth in America -- currently estimated at more than $33 trillion.

As older Americans retire or pass on, their bequests not only include their wealth, but also their positions in their businesses.

That means that their sons or grandsons will take over the business, with Helmut Lang’s clientele belonging to that age group.

And though this will not be the first time that the Helmut Lang gentleman has been seen in a corporate boardroom, we will definitely see more of them come fall!

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang