Helmut Lang (fashion brand) fragrances (1999) were launched, but otherwise the brand was kept unified to solidify its identity and strength. The runway show venues for the Helmut Lang label were switched from Paris (until 1998) to New York by Mr. Lang and back again to Paris by Prada (from 2002 to 2005). The collections/presentations used to be called "" ("working sessions") by Mr. Lang. In 1999, Milan-based fashion house Prada acquired 51% of the Helmut Lang company in the course of a multi-brand strategy, which also included the acquisition of German fashion label Jil Sander. After alleged disputes with Prada Group's CEO Patrizio
Christopher Bailey (fashion designer) December. While in Milan, Bailey met and began dating Geert Cloet, brand designer for Miu Miu. He split his time between his home in Milan and England. When Cloet was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004, he and Bailey moved to Yorkshire to be near Bailey's family. Cloet died the next year. Bailey has been in a relationship with British actor Simon Woods since 2009. In May 2014 Bailey became the first openly gay executive among FTSE 100 corporations. Bailey is mentoring emerging British creative talent from UK institutions including the Royal College of Art and the University of Huddersfield.