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 F/W 1987- 88 Black velvet shaped blazer jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Milano, IT
- Thierry Mugler black velvet shaped blazer jacket - Sold by Skof.Archive - Designed by Thierry Muller - Fall-Winter 1987-88 - Single breasted shaped jacket - Padded shoulder - F...
Thierry Mugler Vintage 80s Black Wool Single Breasted Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Thierry Mugler Vintage 1980s Black Wool Jacket Classic black jacket from the 1980s by Thierry Mugler. Made from wool with a soft silk lining, it feels comfortable and well-made. The ...
Thierry Mugler Iconic Sculptural Black Blazer with Lightning Cut Front
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Milano, IT
An extraordinary example of 1980s power dressing, this vintage black blazer by Thierry Mugler captures the designer's unmistakable architectural style and bold silhouette. Expertly t...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Worsted Wool Peplum Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage black worsted wool peplum jacket with a supple structure. This jacket features : - A deep V-neckline and wide lapels, creating a dramatic, elongated effect -...
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 ...
Vintage 1990's Jean Paul Gaultier Wool Black Double Breasted Blazer
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Vintage 1990's Jean Paul Gaultier black wool blazer. Features a black wool fabric, a double breasted tailored fit. Two front flap pockets, fastens with front buttons closure. In exc...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Architectural Asymmetric Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage black architectural asymmetric jacket A quintessential expression of Thierry Mugler's iconic design language, this vintage jacket showcases the designer's fas...
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...
Black single-breatsed jacket THIERRY MUGLER ACTIV
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black single-breasted jacket. Snap closure on the middle front. No fabric composition tag but it's probably rayon. Lining: probably rayon or acetate. SIZE 42( It) 38 (Fr) on tag bu...
Vintage Thierry Mugler Black Wool Tailored Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Milano, IT
This vintage Thierry Mugler jacket from the 1990s is a striking example of the designer’s signature structured tailoring and avant-garde aesthetic. Known for his ability to sculpt th...
S/S 1997 Christian Dior by Gianfranco Ferré Black bow Tailored blazer Jacket
By Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior
Located in Sheffield, GB
Spring / Summer 1997 Christian Dior blazer designer by Gianfranco Ferré for his ultimate Dior final collection. The jacket features the bow closure detail at the bust and waist line...
1994 GUCCI by Tom Ford Black Fitted Zip Down Blazer Tailored Jacket
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Sheffield, GB
1994 GUCCI by Tom Ford Black Fitted Zip Down Blazer Tailored Jacket A Vintage 1990’s Gucci by Tom Ford jacket. Featuring a tailored silhouette, with black satin piped trim, zip down ...
Chic Black Tailored Thierry Mugler 2000's Lambskin Leather Box Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Sheffield, GB
An Exquisite Black Lamb skin leather jacket by THIERRY MUGLER. Circa 2000. The jacket crafted from a butter-soft black lamb skin features a tailored silhouette, long sleeves, square ...
Archive SONIA RYKIEL Runway Sample Black Double breast Blazer Cut Out Jacket
By Sonia Rykiel
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Unique, demure black wool cut out blazer by SONIA RYKIEL. Runway Sample, Hand made in the Ateliers in Paris, France. This Garment is superb both styled as a Mini Dress or as a su...
2007 Yves Saint Laurent Charcoal Grey Tailored Mottled Wool Military Blazer
By Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sheffield, GB
A 2007 mottled wool blazer by Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Crafted from a soft, charcoal grey wool. Featuring 4 front pockets, two button closure and epaulette ...
A/W 1994 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Elegant Long Black Wool Coat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sheffield, GB
An Elegant Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Long Black Wool Coat from the Autumn / Winter 1994 Collection. (Look 2 worn on the Runway by Linda Evangelista). MADE IN FRANCE. Size; Recom...
