Dress
Designer
Helmut Lang
(born 1956)
Spring 1997
Black polyester, black silk satin, chartreuse silk guaze, and black elastic
Gift of HL - art
Object number2009.32.3
A trend for minimalism was flourishing by 1997, in contrast to the logo-drenched garments and conspicuous luxury of late-1980s and early-1990s high fashion. Along with Calvin Klein, Austrian-born Helmut Lang was a defining figure in the movement away from embellishment and toward clean lines and pared-down design. Within minimalism, black was a significant color.
DescriptionBlack bias cut sleeveless dress in polished polyester with asymmetrical seaming and dropped waist, edgy - 1920s styling, attached (in seam) diagonal waist sash in black silk satin with chartreuse yellow / green silk gauze under facing, exposed black elastic at dropped waist side seams is both decorative and functional holding garment at hip level, at left armhole elastic with metal loop create an additional armhole or armband / strapExhibitions