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 Vintage Jewelled Claw Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage gold tone claw brooch embellished with multicolored crystals. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements : max. length approx. 6.3 cm (2.48 inches) / m...
Gilt Metal
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Barbed Wire Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage black tone metal barbed wire brooch. Embossed TM (see on the last picture / difficult to photograph). Indicative measurements : le...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage rare silver tone brooch embellished with blue crystals. From a French private collection. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : width approx. 7 cm (2.76 in...
Thierry Mugler Rare Silver Metal Barbed Wire Brooch Pin
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler silver tone metal barbed wire brooch. Thierry Mugler’s creations have always stood as iconic statements of bold innovation and avant-garde ...
French 1950s Garnet Natural Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Pendant
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch-pendant in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Oval shapped, this brooch has in its center a flower pattern set in the center of a garnet and on both sides of half natu...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,850
W 1.75 in L 2.75 in
18K Yellow Gold Blue Intaglio & Diamond Filigree Details Cherub Brooch Pendant
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre-owned vintage estate 18K yellow gold Intaglio and diamond brooch/pendant. The brooch has a large full figured cherub at the top that is seated on an urn set with diamonds. The ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980's Hammerman Brothers Diamond Ruby 18K Gold Frog Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This textured 1980's frog motif brooch pin is excellent for nature lovers, Crafted in solid 18K yellow gold by Hammerman Brothers, topped by (11) round cut diamonds, pave set, wei...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s French Ruby Emerald Chrysoprase Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Lovely retro brooch, it represents a bird of paradise, the feathers being set with alternating rubies and emeralds, the belly a...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
Abstract 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Platinum and Diamond Pin
Located in New York, NY
An abstract pin in 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum, set with Diamonds. Circa 1960, Retailed by Harry Winston. Length: 2", Width 2.5"
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Camelia COROCRAFT set, bangle, brooch and clip-on earring, designed 1939 USA
By Corocraft
Located in Stuttgart, DE
About Vintage Camelia bangle, brooch and clip-on earring by Corocraft designed Adolf Katz 1939 USA with green and red Cabochon, leaves enameled green and many rhinestones. Measurem...
Crystal, Gold Plate
CHANEL ruthenium 21B STRASS & CHAIN CC Brooch
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel CC brooch in gold-tone metal is a striking blend of elegance and edge. Adorned with shimmering strass for a touch of brilliance, it is framed by a delicate...
Victorian Gilded Brass Mourning Brooch with Engraved Shield Motif, c. 1880
Located in Milford, DE
A striking late-Victorian mourning brooch crafted in gilded brass, showcasing the ornate architectural engraving and shield-form motif characteristic of the Aesthetic Movement (c. 18...
Brass
Round Silver and Garnet Brooch with Marcasites
Located in London, GB
Beautiful round silver and faceted garnet brooch with marcasites and millgrain decoration. Measuring diameter 2.7 cm / 1 inch. This really lovely ornate and detailed brooch dates t...
Garnet, Marcasite, Silver
1970s Christian Dior Knotted Gold Rope and Crystal Brooch
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
1970s Christian Dior brooch almost certainly manufactured by Henkel & Grosse who have a long association with jewellery making for Dior. Crafted from a gold-toned alloy metal, it...
1970s Lapponia by Björn Weckström Sterling Silver Brooch
By Björn Weckström for Lapponia
Located in Arnhem, NL
A brooch designed for a Finnish brand Lapponia by Björn Weckström in 1977. The brooch is crafted from sterling silver 925 and it features a modernist and organic design. No longer pr...
Sterling Silver
Late Victorian Gold Dress Pin with Sculpted Fox Terrier
Located in Firenze, IT
A Victorian “ Animalier “ 18kt gold dress pin decorated with a fox terrier full figure, overall length 55mm.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Spectacular Thierry Mugler Prototype Brooch Crystal Arrow Drop
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
DAZZLING THIERRY MUGLER RUNWAY PROTOTYPE BROOCH This extraordinary unique brooch - an archival prototype created for the legendary Thierry Mugler Runway Show, a lightning strike of ...
Rare Thierry Mugler FW1986 Les Milteuses ETOILE Brooch Silver Star
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Radiating with celestial allure, this rare Thierry Mugler star brooch from the 1986 Fall/Winter collection "Les Milteuses" encapsulates the visionary grandeur synonymous with Mugler’...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Silver Tone Iconic Star Lapel Pin
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage silver tone iconic star lapel pin embellished with clear crystals. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 8.9 cm (3.50 inches) / max. wid...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Star Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage rare stylized silver tone star brooch embellished with clear crystals and teardrops. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 1...
Thierry Mugler Blue Jewel Paved Space Age Pin Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning and rare Thierry Mugler couture pin brooch. Features a dimensional oversized infinity symbol shape with dangling charms in silvered metal framing all paved with tiny crystal...
THIERRY MUGLER Wing Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Paris, FR
THIERRY MUGLER wing brooch in silver metal. Never worn. The dimensions are: 8 x2.5 cm Delivered in his Thierry MUGLER pouch
Base Metal
C.1990 Thierry Mugler Modernist Bolo Tie Longhorn Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Atlanta, GA
French designer Thierry Mugler is a master of the innovative suit incorporating strong shoulders and wasp waist silhouettes to create a feminine elegance with a healthy dose of sex appeal. This combination of a chromed base metal longhorn brooch and black silk bolo tie with silver tips would add a modernist avant garde accessory...
Silver