The Brand That Helped Make Menswear Cool is Making Great Sneakers Agai

Helmut Lang sneakers with a military-inspired finish.

Notice how every brand in fashion is doing this military-inspired-meets-über-minimalist thing right now? (See: John Elliott, Lemaire, Cos.) But the aesthetic that seems so fresh in 2016 actually has roots in menswear from twenty-plus years ago. In particular, it can be traced back to Helmut Lang, one of the godfathers of menswear as we know it today. Lang turned out collections focused on minimalist-leaning tailoring, streamlined shirts, sharp-as-hell dress shoes and sneakers, and the best military-inspired outerwear money could buy. (Even today, Lang pieces from the late '90s and early '00s aren't just influential, they're coveted by menswear's most devoted as true grails). While Lang called it quits on the fashion industry in 2005, the Helmut Lang label lives on and today is helmed by Alexandre Plokhov, a designer who knows plenty about crafting well-cut, clean-lined menswear and, apparently, sleek sneakers.

While some pared-down kicks, like Common Projects, take out all bells and whistles during the design process, Helmut Lang's new olive green sneakers pile on multiple materials while maintaining a similar minimalist look. The color, silhouette, even reinforced details echo the house's past military-inspired pieces. Think of these like fishtail parkas for your feet. And, yes, they'd look amazing with a pair of slim-fit cargo pants and an actual fishtail parka should you want to go for the full modern-day soldier vibe.

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http://www.gq.com/story/helmut-lang-sneakers-men

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