Helmut Lang, the influential Austrian fashion designer, was born in Vienna in 1956. Lang's interest in fashion began at an early age, leading him to study at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. In 1977, he launched his eponymous fashion label, focusing on minimalist designs and innovative fabric treatments. Lang's avant-garde approach quickly garnered attention, and by the 1990s, he had become a prominent figure in the fashion world. He was renowned for his use of unconventional materials, sleek silhouettes, and precise tailoring, which revolutionized contemporary fashion. In 1999, he sold his label to Prada Group, eventually leaving the fashion industry in 2005 to focus on art.