December 6, 2006 - It’s just been the week of déjà vu - first Tom Ford resurfaced, launching a line of fragrances in time for Christmas, then Thierry Mugler announced plans to show a women’s ready-to-wear collection (faithful to the 80s) during summer 2007, and now it’s Helmut Lang once again making news.

The Austrian-born designer took time out from raising chickens at his home in the Hamptons to write a letter to the New York Times complaining of false reporting and demanding retraction of a series of statements that he views as damaging to his current activities. The article in question, written by Eric Wilson and published by the Times on November 2, suggested that, during the period his label was owned by Prada, Lang was guilty of "corporate insubordination," of "unwavering dedication to his distinctive, if uncomfortably masochistic, bondage references" and of resisting attempts to add "lucrative accessories and luxury pieces" to his collection. According to WWD, the New York Times is reviewing Lang’s complaint.

This is not the first dispute between Helmut Lang and the New York Times. The designer previously banned chief fashion critic, Cathy Horyn, from his Paris shows in 2002 after she published an unfavorable review remarking that he was in danger of “falling off fashion’s radar screen”. It’s safe to say Lang’s dot has reappeared.