Here is the rarest Helmut Lang pieces, originally purchased from Thomas Eitzinger the senior design director himself. It is the prototype sample piece of the coveted AW99 'Seance De Travail' Ballistic Polyamide Astro Biker Parka in black in brand new condition. The tags say it was made in 1998 rather than 1999 like the production model, and it is marked 'Sample for press only'. Given its size and one-off nature, it is likely the exact jacket used in the press photo attached, and is possibly the one that actually walked the runway.

After most of his archive was destroyed, the few remaining sample pieces are currently housed in museums such as the MFA Boston or Metropolitan Museum of Art, so coming across a coveted piece in this condition is a once in a decade opportunity. I even have a copy of the invoice from the design studio in 2000, when this piece was purchased from Thomas Eitzinger.

Like the press photo, the prototype model never had the fur attached (but it is compatible with existing fur liners). Countless people have probably laid eyes on its subversive details on the runway like Siki Im, Owens, and Simons, who have all taken influence from its revolutionary biker and bondage details at the time.

10/10 brand new condition.

Tagged size 50
Shoulders: 45cm
Pit to Pit: 57cm
Front Length: 95cm
Back Length from bottom collar: 108cm
Sleeve Length: 66cm