Helmut Lang Spring 2018

NEW YORK — Few labels inspire the sort of admiration that Helmut Lang did in his pomp some two decades ago. In 2005, Lang left his signature label and in the intervening years the influence has only grown. The latest effort is only likely to accelerate that growth. Isabella Burley, the label’s editor-in-residence has overseen new collaborations with artists, but the appointment of Shayne Oliver as designer in residence looks to be something of a coup. The same is also true for New York, which for all its defiance, desperately needs an injection of life like only a seer of Oliver’s renown can provide. And did he ever Monday night at the old Pearl River Mart location on Broadway in Soho. Before a capacity crowd, both seated and standing, the Helmut Lang label roared back to life. If the collection veered more fetishist than minimalist, then all the better. More sex than sexy. The reality of that exchange was made possible in part through an inspired street casting paired with a model casting. On the model side for Next, Selena Forrest, Hiandra Martinez, Marjan Jonkman, Lia Pavlova, and Tessa Bruinsma featured. Selena even went one better by opening the show. New York needed this show and can be proud to claim it. Credits include: Client, Helmut Lang; Collection, Ready-To-Wear Spring 2018; Editor in residence, Isabella Burley; Creative design, Shayne Oliver; Styling, Akeem Smith; Hair, Holli Smith for TRESemmé; Makeup, Inge Grognard and The M∙A∙C Pro Team; Manicure, Naomi Yasud