Helmut Lang without Helmut

We had our doubts when we heard the former heads of Habitual were set to take over the Helmut Lang label from the man himself. Don't get us wrong, we were fans of their jeans, but we're pretty sure Mr. Lang would sooner shuffle off this mortal coil than put a giant cross on the back pocket of one his pants.

However, for Spring 2007 they designed a capsule collection to ease the transition and we have to say we're impressed. The idea apparently was to take Lang's minimalist and utilitarian roots and make them more accessible, both financially and aesthetically, to the general public--minimalism for the masses so to speak. And we have to say they succeeded. The collection definitely maintains a minimal feel but loses the more austere, more challenging aspects.