Katayone Adeli is rumored to be at the top of Helmut Lang‘s short list. If Adeli signs, says WWD, her contract may be the first step in relaunching the venerable fashion brand, which first opened for business in 1986. Helmut Lang has been without a lead designer since husband-and-wife duo Michael and Nicole Colovos exited the company in February after an eight-year run.
Adeli has seen her fair share of success in the business, and her clean lines would translate well with the Helmut Lang aesthetic. The designer worked for L.A. sportswear firm Parallel before she debuted her namesake label in 1997. That, mind you, was an overnight triumph. If you wanted impeccably tailored, low-slung trousers, you went to Katayone Adeli. The same went for long chiffon dresses and cropped leather jackets — all of which garnered a cult following among A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. In fact, Gwyneth once told André Leon Talley for Vogue that she attempted to get “every pair of pants Katayone Adeli makes.” Now that’s one helluva seal of approval.
Later, in 2000, two lower-priced labels were introduced into the marketplace, 2 by Katayone Adeli and 2 Jeans by Katayone Adeli. But by 2003, Adeli shuttered her company. The rumor is that the collapse was due to the exit of former president Sean Barron, who sold his stake and started Joie in 2000. Since then, Adeli has been involved in various consulting roles.
[via WWD]
