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 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...
S/S 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Eyelet Cutout Red Sheer Blazer IT40 / US6
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace Couture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a red perforated eyelet Gianni Versace Couture blazer, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, this blazer debuted as part of look 6 on the ...
F/W 1992 Gianni Versace Couture Bondage (Miss S&M) Collection Red Blazer 38IT
By Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace Couture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a bright red tapered Gianni Versace Couture blazer designed by Gianni Versace. From the 'Miss S&M' Gianni Versace Fall/Winter 1992 collection, commonly known as the 'bondage' collection, this jacket debuted on the runway as look number 51, modeled by Christy Turlington. Claudia Schiffer also wore it in the season's ad campaign, shot by Richard Avedon, and on Helena Barquilla in the October 1992 issue of Vogue Germany. The jacket features large gold buttons...
F/W 1994 Gianni Versace Couture Red Bouclé Tweed Cropped Medusa Jacket IT40
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gianni Versace Couture jacket from the Fall/Winter 1994 collection is cut in a cropped silhouette in red bouclé tweed with a pointed collar and quilted trim at the collar and cu...
S/S 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Red Color-Block Mini Coat Dress Blazer Jacket 42IT
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous black and red archival Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche blazer jacket / mini dress was designed by the brand's namesake designer. From the Spring/Summer 1992 collection, this fabulous wool coat dress was reintroduced as part of the Spring/Summer 2022 Saint Laurent...
1990s Thierry Mugler Orange Structured Hourglass Cropped Blazer 40FR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous bright orange Thierry Mugler blazer designed by Manfred Mugler. From the 1980s, this jacket features masterful craftsmanship and design. Mugler was known for hi...
1980s Thierry Mugler Red Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in London, GB
A late 1980’s Thierry Mugler asymmetric-wrap fitted panel jacket in poppy-red cotton and linen plain weave, with a deep V-neckline, organic scallo...
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...
Thierry Mugler FW 1993 Rare Red Archival Runway Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Rare Runway piece from Thierry Mugler FW 1993 Hiver Capitons Collection. This jacket is pure Mugler at his most cinematic. Cut from a blazing, saturated red wool, it sculpts the tor...
Thierry Mugler Vintage Red Linen Jacket, Size 40, Excellent Condition
By Thierry Mugler
Located in CACHAN, FR
Very nice Thierry Mugler jacket. Very nice fitted cut. Suitable for a 40. In linen. In a very good condition. Just the slightly worn buttons. discreet.
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. ...
2004 Vintage Roberto Cavalli Red Leather Corset Jacket NWT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
Rare collector’s piece from Roberto Cavalli’s Fall/Winter 2004 collection, this structured jacket is crafted from supple crimson-red leather with couture-level detailing. • Design f...
