Peter Do departs Helmut Lang less two years in as creative director

American designer Peter Do is departing from his role as creative director at Helmut Lang, the brand and the designer announced on Wednesday, less than two years into the top design spot at the storied luxury brand.

A reason for Do’s sudden departure was not given, nor was any information relating to his successor.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Peter for his exceptional creative leadership and vision and wish him continued success in his future endeavors,” said Kazumi Yanai, chairman of Helmut Lang in the statement.

“Peter Do joined Helmut Lang in 2023, bringing a fresh perspective and revitalizing the brand for a new generation. He reinforced the brand’s reputation for pushing boundaries while honoring its minimalist roots.”

Appointed to the role of creative director at Helmut Lang in May 2023, Do showed his debut collection for the fashion brand during New York Fashion Week in the proceeding September as part of the spring/summer 2024 season, where the collection received mixed reviews.​

​“I want to express my gratitude to my Helmut Lang team who have been integral in supporting my vision,” Do shared in a statement. “It’s been an incredible journey to be tasked to carry on the legacy of Helmut Lang.”

Born in Vietnam, Do immigrated to Philadelphia aged 14, and went on to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Upon graduation, he was the recipient of the inaugural 2014 LVMH Graduate Prize, and worked in the ready-to-wear atelier at Celine and then at Derek Lam, before launching his own namesake brand in 2018, which he continues to helm today.
. 
The house of Helmut Lang was founded in 1986 in Paris, France by Austrian designer Helmut Lang, and was owned by the Prada Group between 1999 and 2006. It was then acquired by Link Theory Holdings, which was later absorbed by Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing in 2009, and became its subsidiary. Lang stopped designing fashion shortly before the acquisition.

Prior to Do’s appointment, Helmut Lang was designed by a studio team, based out of New York.