Thierry Mugler
Fashion as sculpture, as avant-garde expression, as spectacle: Thierry Mugler’s career pushed the boundaries of what fashion design and clothing could mean.
Mugler, who went by Manfred in later years, founded his brand in 1973 with his first personal collection. By the late 1990s, he was more famous for his fragrances, thanks to the brand’s best seller Angel. But vintage Mugler dresses and gowns have recently returned to red carpets, worn by stars like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Hailey Bieber.
Mugler’s penchant for performance, drama and costuming came from his background in ballet, having danced as a teenager with the Opéra national du Rhin in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. In the 1980s and ’90s, his couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, similar to those of his contemporaries Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix.
In one of Mugler’s shows, the then-pregnant legendary supermodel Pat Cleveland (part of the coterie of glamorous muses associated with designer Halston) was suspended from the ceiling and then glided down the runway surrounded by clouds of smoke.
Mugler would become known for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his increasingly avant-garde designs that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials like PVC and leather. Recent years have seen Mugler’s archival designs, especially from his 1995 haute couture show, take center stage, coinciding with the resurgence of camp in fashion and the return of bodycon dresses.
The French cosmetics company Clarins SA acquired Mugler’s brand in 1997, and its founder stepped back from the label in 2002. The house’s roster of clients has included some of the most visionary figures in fashion, from David Bowie and Diana Ross to Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and the founder’s influence on over-the-top fashion can be seen in the work of designers such as Jeremy Scott and Alexander McQueen.
Find vintage Thierry Mugler corset tops, suits, sunglasses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
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- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023Thierry Mugler stepped down from his eponymous fashion house in 2002. In the 2010s, Mugler’s archival designs, especially from his 1995 haute couture show, once more took center stage, coinciding with the resurgence of camp in fashion and the return of bodycon dresses. The brand’s roster of clients has included some of the most visionary figures in fashion, from David Bowie and Diana Ross to Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and the founder’s influence on over-the-top fashion can be seen in the work of designers such as Jeremy Scott and Alexander McQueen. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Thierry Mugler pieces from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Thierry Mugler is most famous for his evening gowns and his dramatic fashion shows. His penchant for performance, drama and costuming came from his background in ballet, having danced as a teenager with the Opéra national du Rhin in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. In the 1980s and ’90s, his couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, similar to those of his contemporaries, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix. Mugler would become known for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his increasingly avant-garde designs that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials like PVC and leather. Shop a collection of Thierry Mugler from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Thierry Mugler's nationality was French. He was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948 and moved to Paris at the age of 24. In 1973, he founded his eponymous brand and introduced his first line, called Café de Paris. On 1stDibs, explore a range of vintage Thierry Mugler apparel and accessories from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Thierry Mugler became popular during the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1970s, the forward-looking fashion designer founded his brand with his first personal collection. During the 1980s, his couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, and he eventually gained fans in celebrities and models such as Naomi Campbell, George Michael and even RuPaul. He gained popularity for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his increasingly avant-garde designs that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in his evening gowns due to celebrities like Cardi B. and Kim Kardashian wearing his dresses on the red carpet. Shop an assortment of vintage Thierry Mugler pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Thierry Mugler's style is often described as avant garde. He was known for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his pieces that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, and an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials like PVC and leather. Shop our collection of Thierry Mugler pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.