1999 Vintage Waffle Knit 'Limited Edition New York 99' T-Shirt

Size XS (oversized): Best for any size between a Women's UK 14/US 10 and a UK 8/US 4. Can also be worn by men sized IT 44 - 34 Chest - XS.

Helmut Lang limited edition print T-shirt from S/S 1999. Made in Italy.

For S/S 1999, Helmut Lang Jeans launched a limited edition of reissues of celebrated designs from past HL collections. The selection ranged from stripe-decorated basics and jackets to slash-sleeved tops and other classics. The T-shirt is decorated with a distinctive print that states:

'HELMUT LANG LIMIT
ED EDITION   T SHIRT
NEW YORK              99
    5 17 - 21'

The text is rendered in a condensed bold font, while the numbers are in Helvetica. While the text is satisfyingly self-explanatory (a rather unusual feature for a Helmut Lang print), the meaning of the numbers remains unclear. In my view they are most likely alluding to the date the T-shirt became available in 1999. The iconic and ambiguous design has been screenprinted by hand using thick rubber ink that gives it a pronounced texture. Lang's bold approach to text-based graphics, as seen in this top, has been very influential as seen in this Acne sweatshirt.

The T-shirt has an oversized silhouette with dropped shoulders and a waist-length body, featuring side seams that spiral towards the left to enhance the top's drape when it is worn. Two different cotton fabrics have been used to construct the piece; the front panel is a cushioned waffle knit, while the back and sleeve panels are crafted from a basketball-style jersey with a dense drop-stitch pattern. Both fabrics are soft, stretchy and have been washed to achieve a vintage finish. The crew neckline is finished with ribbed trim.

An unlikely find even for the most diligent Helmut Lang collectors, this T-Shirt is a strong example of Lang's iconic no-so-basic basics from a very distinctive moment in the history of contemporary fashion.