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.
S/S 1989 Thierry Mugler Les Atlantes Black Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Spring Summer 1989 “Les Atlantes” Thierry Mugler black jacket featuring sculptural “fin” sleeves that flare subtly at the cuffs creating an architectural look. Its sharply pointed he...
S/S 1996 Thierry Mugler Black and White Archival Museum Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Own a piece of fashion history with this extraordinary documented Thierry Mugler Spring Summer 1996 skirt suit. Black and white jacket with a large folding ...
S/S 1991 Thierry Mugler Black Cutout Panel Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
1990’s Thierry Mugler Black jacket with triple rows of rectangular cutouts on the chest, upper arms, and center back. Square neckline. Shoulder pads. Snap front closure. Condition:...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Black Les Infernales Lighting Bolt Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler black zig zag lightning bolt jacket from the Fall Winter 1988 “Les Infernales” collection and as seen on the runway. As famously seen on Samantha Jones played by Kim ...
1990's Thierry Mugler Black Crystal Star Sculpted Blazer
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
A glamorous vintage Thierry Mugler blazer jacket featuring iconic crystal star embellishments and unmistakable sculptural tailoring. This exceptional piece showcases its dramatic sil...
S/S 1997 Thierry Mugler 'Les Insectes' Black Fringe Tassel Runway Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
An archival piece from Thierry Mugler’s iconic Spring Summer 1997 'Les Insectes' collection, and as seen on the runway. This sculptural jacket is defined by dramatic cascading fringe...
Thierry Mugler SS 1994 Rare Geometric Jacket Black White Sculptural
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
In the world of couture, few garments stand out as both sculptural and strikingly modern as this Spring Summer 1994 Thierry Mugler jacket. With its bold, architectural silhouette, it...
Thierry Mugler FW 1992 Black Dramatic Cutout ZigZag Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A fabulous signature piece of the FW 1992 Thierry Mugler Collection Femme Fatale! Spectacular black wool jacket with sculptural feminine tailoring and dramatic ZigZag cutout details...
Thierry Mugler FW 1990 Sculptural Dramatic Silhouette Jacket Black Metal Chain
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Fabulous rare Thierry Mugler jacket, FW 1990s Collection. This dramatic sculptural silhouette is truly spectacular. Extremely rare collectors' piece. Iconic Mugleresque hyper femini...
Thierry Mugler Black Sculptural Jacket FW 1988/89
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
The jacket stands like architecture rather than clothing, an unmistakable signature of Thierry Mugler at the height of his sculptural imagination. Cut in deep, beautiful black, the p...
Thierry Mugler SS 2000 Black Jacket Blazer Fitted Fabulous
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler jacket, Spring Summer Collection 2000. Black blazer with shiny accents. Fantastic sculptural silhouette with fitted waist. Very beautiful piece. Elegant Femme Fatale ...
Thierry Mugler 1989 Dramatic Sculptural Avant- Garde Jacket Top
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A vision legendary Thierry Mugler at his most exacting, this 1989 sculptural jacket turns tailoring into architecture. Cut in black cotton fabric with a subtle woven grid, the piece ...
