Fashion Icon Thierry Mugler Dies at 73
Iconic fashion designer Thierry Mugler, whose creations transformed haute couture, has died at the age of 73. His personal Instagram account first reported the news.
“We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23 2022,” the post says. “May his soul rest in piece.”
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The designer’s brand, Mugler, also confirmed the news via Instagram, describing its founder as “a visionary whose imagination as a couturier, perfumer, and image-maker empowered people around the world to be bolder and dream bigger every day.”
Making an international name for himself in the 80s and early 90s, Mugler’s creations have gone on to inspire future generations of designers, and he was one of the first fashion creatives to consistently use out trans models on the runway in his over-the-top theatrical shows.
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Born in Strasbourg, France in 1948, Mugler worked as a freelance designer in Paris before launching his eponymous label in 1974. His designs usually featured broad, sharp shoulders; high glamour; sharp tailoring; and he often incorporated sci-fi or futuristic elements. While his creations were marvels in and of themselves, Mugler began to present them in arena-like presentations with extravagant themes.
From metallic robot bodysuits, one of which was worn by Lady Gaga in her 2009 “Paparazzi” music video, to underwater designs inspired by fish and mermaids, his work always retained a sense of elegance amid the drama. The famous, floor-length, black dress he designed for Demi Moore’s character in the 1993 movie Indecent Proposal proved, if evidence were needed, that he didn’t need bold shapes and colors to craft something iconic.
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Outside of fashion, Mugler was a published photographer who directed ads and short films, including a star-studded music video for George Michael’s 1992 hit “Too Funky,” and a prominent perfumer known for his popular scent “Angel.” Mugler helped forge a now-established link between luxury fashion and fragrance.
Despite the perfume’s success, Mugler’s ready-to-wear creations had become less commercially viable by the early 2000s, so he left the fashion industry to pursue other creative projects. His larger-than-life approach lent itself to the stage, and he designed costumes for Beyoncé’s 2009 I Am… World Tour and the Cirque du Soleil production Zumanity, among others. He also became a body builder in his later years.
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Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in Mugler designs with celebrities regularly turning to his 7,000-item archive for vintage statements. From Cardi B attending the Grammys in an oyster-inspired 1995 design to the daring cut-out gown worn by Kim Kardashian to the annual Hollywood Beauty Awards in 2019, Mugler’s style has proven perfectly suited to today’s over-the-top red carpets.
Photos courtesy of social media
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