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.
Thierry Mugler SS 1992 Gold Metallic Details Fitted Sculptural Silk Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Fabulous rare Thierry Mugler Jacket. Documented SS 1992 Collection. Light grey with metallic gold coloured details. Closes with one press button at the wast. Sculptural Thierry Mugl...
Thierry Mugler FW 1995 Gold Silk Runway Jacket seen on Kate Moss
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare iconic Thierry Mugler Jacket from his legendary Fall/Winter 1995 Collection. The sculptural showstopper piece exudes theatrical grandeur and sculptural artistry. Seen...
Mugler jacket by Thierry Mugler circa 1985
By Thierry Mugler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
MUGLER - A Collection circa 1985, under the artistic direction of Thierry Mugler. Fitted jacket entirely embroidered with golden sequins. Size 38FR indicated. Made in France. Con...
Thierry Mugler Archival FW 1993 Dramatic Runway Jacket Black Gold Metal Details
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Stunning Thierry Mugler jacket, featured on the 1993 Runway show. Documented archival Collectors piece. This jacket is drama & elegance! Timeless elegance and avant-garde sophist...
Iconic Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES 1988/89 Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The famous purple/violet jacket from the Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES (She Devils) Collection FW...
Thierry Mugler Rare Sculptural Jacket FW 1986
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler’s designs have always been less about clothing and more about architecture for the body, and this extraordinarily rare jacket is the perfect testament to that philosop...
Thierry Mugler Scuptural Jacket FW 1995 Architecture Collection Metal Buttons
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Stunning Thierry Mugler jacket, Fall Winter 1995 Collection. Masterful construction, a fabulous Thierry Mugler creation. Vibrant tomatoe red colour. Silver coloured metal buttons. E...
Thierry Mugler Holy Grail FW 1997 Rare Silk Suit Gold Jacket Skirt
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Holy Grail. Step into the mythic elegance of Thierry Mugler's Fall/Winter 1997 collection, where fashion transcends into fantasy. This extremely rare two-piece suit, jacket and skir...
Mugler FW 1991 Vintage Gold Leather Coat / Size 38
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Mugler Fall/Winter 1991 Vintage Leather Coat / Size 38 Description: A rare, collectible Thierry Mugler leather coat, Fall/Winter 1991. Iconic ...
Thierry Mugler Dramatic Sculputral Silk Skirtsuit Jacket Skirt Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
The most stunning pure silk Thierry Mugler ensemble. Sooo Mugleresque! The combination of extraordinary avant-garde shape: pointy asymmetric hem and fitted horglass silhouette &...
S/S 1992 Thierry Mugler Corset Ivory Lace Up Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler vintage cream corset lace up jacket from the Spring Summer 1992 “Les Cowboys” collection. This jacket features a structured corset-inspired construction. Square neckl...
F/W 1989 Thierry Mugler Orange Futuristic Metal Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler futuristic vivid orange jacket from the Fall Winter 1989 Hiver Buick collection. Structured shoulders, peplum flared waist, single snap button closure, and long sleeve...
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...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Purple Futuristic Les Infernales Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Futuristic Thierry Mugler vibrant purple jacket from the Fall Winter 1988 “Les Infernales” collection and variations of it were seen on the runway. This rare jacket features a struct...
F/W 1991 Thierry Mugler Yellow Sculptural Skirt Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler vibrant yellow skirt suit set from the Fall Winter 1991 collection. This rare exceptional vibrant yellow skirt suit boasts a stand up ...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Purple Les Infernales Lighting Bolt Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler purple 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 ...
