1998 Padded Coated Polyester Liner Vest with Asymmetric Pocket

IT 52: Best for an IT 50 - 40 Chest - M, an IT 48 - 38 Chest - S/M or a Women's UK 14 - US 12.

Helmut Lang technical vest from the A/W 1998-1999 collection. In good used condition with minor signs of wear on the right shoulder. Made in Italy.

Helmut Lang's output was rarely defined by seasonal themes. Design elements from early 1990s collections were often reworked and reiterated until the label's demise, highlighting Lang's emphasis on refinement rather than novelty. This simple liner vest was first introduced in the designer's A/W 1990 collection, and was produced every season that followed in different fabrics and finishes. The winter '98 collection focused on abstract and layered streetwear, and this rare iteration of the vest is given a futuristic update to match.

The vest's clean design features subtle references to military garments; the neckline has an MA-1 bomber-style collar, while the front has a simple zipper closure. The cut is slim and form-fitting. The fabric is a finely woven polyester that has been resin coated to give it a soft, smooth texture and a lustrous surface. A large pocket on the right side of the torso disrupts the simplicity of the piece, creating a functional  point of interest. Although the vest has a relatively simple pattern, its finishing is of a very high standard: The interior is fully padded for increased warmth while remaining very lightweight. The lining is flawlessly finished with concealed seams, making the vest completely reversible. The zipper has a tonal finish that subtly complements the streamlined design.

A typical Helmut Lang item from his iconic streetwear period, this vest demonstrates the simple ways in which Lang's designs combined aesthetic finesse with everyday functionality.