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.
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 Scuptural Jacket Architecture Collection
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
In this extraordinary creation from Thierry Mugler’siconic mind tailoring becomes seduction. The tweed jacket, at once architectural and sensual, transforms the female form into a l...
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...
Spectacular Thierry Mugler Jacket SS 1991 Super Star
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
This extraordinary Thierry Mugler jacket from the Spring/Summer 1991 "Super Strar Diana Roll" Collection is pure Mugler mythology: erotic, architectural, and unapologetically powerfu...
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 ...
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 1993 Jacket Rare Sculptural Dramatic Collar
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare Thierry Mugler 1993 Cruise Collection jacket. A stunning blend of structure and elegance, embodying Mugler's signature futuristic aesthetic....
Mugler jacket by Thierry Mugler Summer 1989
By Thierry Mugler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
MUGLER - Spring/Summer 1989 Ready-to-Wear Collection, under the artistic direction of Thierry Mugler. Fitted jacket in silver lambskin leather. Size indicated: 38FR. Made in Franc...
Thierry Mugler Sculptural Rare Velvet Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
This gorgeous rare Thierry Mugler jacket feels less like a hallucination from the golden age of Parisian excess. Rendered in a hypnotic puzzle-piece motif, the surface vibrates with ...
Edge to edge cotton jacket with frills and fringes edge Thierry Mugler Couture
By Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Edge to edge cotton jacket with frills and fringes edge. Close in the middle front with hook&eye. Silk lining. NEW WITH TAG. SIZE 38 (M)
Fabulous Thierry Mugler FW 1990 ‘Music Hall’ Runway Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Fabulous Thierry Mugler runway jacket from fall/winter 1990-1991 ‘Music Hall’ collection. Dramatic design that features sharp velvet insertions pointed to hips, curved pleated bands...
FW 1994 Rhinestone Brooch Thierry Mugler Bejewelled Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Spectacular Thierry Mugler jacket from fall winter 1994 Quaker Splash collection. Adorned with large rhinestone encrusted brooches on the front fastening and the cuffs. Beautiful asy...
Thierry Mugler FW 1992 Blue Smoking Jacket Velvet Details
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Blue Smoking Jacket with black velvet details from Thierry Mugler fall winter 1992 Ritz Haute Couture Collection. Seen on Karen Mulder on the runway. Classic design with deep V-neck...
Iconic Red Thierry Mugler Les Infernales FW 1988 Vampire Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Red Vampire Suit from Thierry Mugler Les Infernales Fall Winter 1988 Collection. This flaming she-devils ensemble is definitely one of the most recognisable and iconic Mugler design...
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...
FW 1997 Red Pagoda Shoulders Thierry Mugler Skirt Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Deep Red Thierry Mugler Skirt Suit from Fall/Winter 1997 RTW Collection. Dramatic silhouette with pagoda shoulders. Faux astrakhan finishing at the collar, cuffs, bottom front and o...
