Helmut Lang - end of an era

London may not have been privileged with a Helmut Lang boutique, but Londoners have long adorned his contemporary aesthetic and will be mourning that his collections are no longer available. Surfing the Helmut Lang website - once the coolest of the fashion web pages - the ultra slick site has transformed into a black white screen of nothing - an unsatisfactory result for even the most ardent minimalist, not to mention the bare shelves of the brand's former stockists.

Lang's New York stores have been bolted shut and the Paris stores has finished trading also. Whilst you can still find remnants from previous collections and samples in factory outlet stores, Helmut Lang followers will, if reluctantly, have to move on to something new this season. Perhaps Acne or Raf Simons for Jil Sander will be a consolation to his loyal fashion base. After all, Lang designed the perfect jean and trouser cut. A coup for Prada when they first bought the label in 1999, but Helmut Lang subsequently locked horns with Prada's CEO Mr. Bertelli, and never recovered from the clinch.

We'll miss you Helmut!