A New Exhibition of Archive Helmut Lang Has Just Opened

A major exhibition opening today at Vienna’s MAK Museum of Applied Arts entitled Show Off: Austrian Fashion Design brings together work from over 60 designers and 30 photographers, including some of Helmut Lang’s most historic designs from the 90s and 00s. After rising to prominence in the early 90s for his subversively minimalist approach to fashion and branding – a stark contrast to the opulent Muglers and Gaultiers of the day – Lang’s rebellious designs gained a devoted underground following. Though Lang shredded some 6,000 pieces of his archive in 2011, now a selection of the remaining pieces are going on display at the MAK show, which is the first exhibition of its scale to showcase contemporary Austrian fashion design. Lang’s designs will be shown alongside designs by the likes of Andreas Kronthaler, Peter Pilotto and Kenneth Ize and more.

SHOW OFF: Austrian Fashion Design is open until July 12