Known for his avant-garde and theatrical approach to fashion, Manfred Thierry Mugler was one of the first designers to promote diversity during his shows. The designer has come a long way since creating his very first collection in 1973 to have some of the most popular faces in the world, including Michael Jackson, Madonna and David Bowie, wearing some of his signature looks.
Born in Strasbourg, France, Mugler has always been interested in the arts. He studied classical dance and ballet and even trained in interior design. His career started early. The designer, who breathed his last on January 23 at the age of 73, began designing clothes in his early 20s. At 24, he moved to Paris to pursue his passion for design and worked in a Parisian boutique. At 26, he began working as a freelance designer and created ready-to-wear pieces for fashion houses in London, Paris and Milan.
Thierry Mugler (1948-2022)
He created his very first collection, Café de Paris, in 1973 and the rest is history!
Mugler designs are known today for their structured costumes that complement every figure, extravagant and dramatic, almost theatrical performances and even costumes created for Beyonce’s iconic I am World tour.
In 2003, the late designer announced his departure from fashion but the brand continued. In 2008, she launched a beauty line, Thierry Mugler Beauty, which deals with luxury cosmetics.
Lady Gaga paraded for the label
Gigi Hadid paraded for the designer’s collection
Kim Kardashian in Mugler’s Iconic Wet Dress at the Met Gala
Cardi B in a dramatic creation of Mugler at the Grammys
Megan Fox in Mugler at the Billboard Music Awards
The former ballet dancer experimented with different art forms and was even known for bringing non-traditional models such as transgender women, drag queens and porn stars to the runway, to model his creations. He also launched the perfume Angel, which became one of the most popular perfumes of the 20th century.
He was also a photographer before becoming a designer and releasing two of his photography books: Thierry Mugler, Photographer and Thierry Mugler: Fashion Fetish Fantasy in 1998.
Megan Fox in Mugler at the VMAs
Cardi B in Mugler at the fashion show
Kim Kardashian in a black cut-out Mugler dress
Bella Hadid in nude Mugler jumpsuit
The late designer even underwent cosmetic surgery to change his appearance in 2010 and went by the name Manfred, saying Thierry Mugler was a brand and he wanted to move on. Subsequently, a few years later, Formichetti, the creative director of the brand left and in 2013, David Koma was appointed artistic director of the Maison Mugler.
Manfred took up bodybuilding after quitting fashion and died of natural causes aged 73.
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