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 FW 79 Iconic and Rare Double Breast Leather Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Milano, MILANO
Fall Winter 1997 iconic and rare double breast leather jacket with diagonal cuts by Thierry Mugler. Ribbed collar. Snap buttons at front, hem and cuffs. Fully lined. The composition ...
Thierry Mugler 1993 Jacket Red White Stunning Sharp Silhouette
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A blaze of saturated red, cut with the surgical precision that made Thierry Mugler a master of silhouette. The waist is beautifully fitted, sculpted into an hourglass. The hips flare...
Thierry Mugler Red Silver Bullet Blazer Jacket Hiver Buick collection FW 1989
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Stunning red Thierry Mugler blazer jacket with amazing silver bulllet details. Hiver Buick collection FW 1989. Adorned with chrome ornaments inspired by the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado. V...
Red jacket with metallic snaps Thierry Mugler ACTIV
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red jacket with metallic snaps. Shoulder pads. Half-belt in the same fabric on both side of the waist.Fabric composition: 40% cotton, 40% rayon, 20% polyester. Lining: 100% acetate. ...
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...
Iconic Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES 1988/89 RED Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The famous red jacket from the Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES (She Devils) Collection FW 1988/ 1989. Thierry Mugler’s 1988...
1990s Thierry Mugler Cruise White Jacket with Anchor Details
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Very elegant white jacket from late 1990s Thierry Mugler Cruise collection. Beautifully draped shawl collar falls down to the waist where jacket closes with two hidden metal snap bu...
Rare Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2001 Runway Biker Leather Jacket
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Rare Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2001 Runway Biker Leather Jacket. Size 42 IT (M). Condition: Good, some signs of time, such as some scratches visible in one of the pictures.
$475
Size: Recommended Size; UK 8
2000's Vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer Cherry Red Fitted Leather Biker Jacket
By Jean-Louis Scherrer
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Chic 2000s Jean-Louis Scherrer Leather jacket. Crafted in a butter soft cherry red leather. Featuring square shoulders, high collar, zip down the centre closure and iridescent two ...
Thierry Mugler Leather Bustier and Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Thierry Mugler - Red lamb leather jacket and bustier top ornamented with a lace and tiny metallic bars. Missing size label, it fits a 38FR. Additional information: Condition: Very g...
S/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Runway Quilted Red Leather Cropped Bolero Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful bright red quilted leather Theirry Mugler moto jacket, designed by Manfred Mugler. From the Spring/Summer 1990 "Été Hawaii" collection, this stunning jacket debuted on the season's runway modeled by Dianne Brill...
S/S 1990 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Red Leather Cropped Bolero Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a bright red cropped leather Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche jacket designed by Yves Saint Laurent. From the Spring/Summer 1990 collection, this fabulous bolero is construc...
F/W 1989 Thierry Mugler Hiver Buick Sculptural Chrome Grille Leather Moto 40FR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Thierry Mugler leather jacket from the Fall/Winter 1989 "Hiver Buick" collection is constructed in black leather with a cropped, cin...
F/W 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Mens Runway Zip Accent Leather Moto Jacket
By Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This chic, oversized black leather moto jacket by Gianni Versace, designed by Donatella Versace, debuted in light tan on the Fall/Winter 1998 men's runway. This stunning jacket featu...
F/W 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Mens Silver Snakeskin Moto Zip Jacket IT48
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a silver snakeskin Gianni Versace moto-style jacket, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 2000 men’s collection, a version of this jacket debuted on the sea...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Museum Red 'Les Infernales' Fiery Red Skirt Suit 38FR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Thierry Mugler "Tailleur Vampire" skirt suit from the Fall/Winter 1988 "Les Infernales" collection is constructed in red with a deeply cinched-waist jacket and matching fitted p...
