Left: Helmut Lang in Vogue Paris November 1989, Right: Reinaldo Lourenço Spring 2012

One of our favorite collections from Sao Paolo was Reinaldo Lourenço‘s. He said his collection, which featured several looks with cat silhouettes like the one above, was inspired by the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. But, was that the only thing that inspired him to cover his girls’ girls with cat heads? We just came across this page on the blog Sighs and Whispers from the November 1989 issue of Vogue Paris in which the model dons a very similar-looking cat bustier bodysuit by Helmut Lang.

Lourenço’s version is a little more tame, as a sheer fabric covers the chest and shoulders, whereas the original is more literal–held together by nothing more than a little corset-like string across the boobs. Also, it has eyes!

We love cats of all shapes and sizes here at Fashionista, and I think both of these looks are awesome, but there is something so chic and daring about Helmut Lang’s. Then again, Lourenço’s is a little more wearable.

Which do you prefer? Do you think Lourenço is a COPYCAT? (Sorry, had to.)