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.
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Yellow Les Infernales Lightning Bolt Skirt Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler rare yellow skirt suit ensemble from the Fall/Winter 1988 “Les Infernales” collection, as seen on the runway. This iconic design was also famously worn by Kim Cattrall...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Flaming Red Les Infernales Iconic Skirt Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Exceptional documented Thierry Mugler red skirt suit from the collectible Fall Winter 1988 "Les Infernales" She Devils collection and as seen on the runway. This ultra rare flaming ...
S/S 1996 Thierry Mugler Black and White Archival Museum Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Own a piece of fashion history with this extraordinary documented Thierry Mugler Spring Summer 1996 skirt suit. Black and white jacket with a large folding ...
F/W 1996 Thierry Mugler Corporate Class Green Runway Suit Velvet Trim
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Rare Fall Winter 1996 Thierry Mugler vintage skirt suit with the original tags featuring a sculptural green silk jacket and black velvet skirt. As seen on the 1996 corporate class ru...
F/W 1989 Thierry Mugler Orange Futuristic Metal Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Thierry Mugler futuristic vivid orange jacket from the Fall Winter 1989 Hiver Buick collection. Structured shoulders, peplum flared waist, single snap button closure, and long sleeve...
F/W 1990 Thierry Mugler Lime Green Futuristic Cocoon Coat
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Create a statement with this jaw-dropping avant-garde wool cocoon coat by Thierry Mugler from Fall/Winter 1990. This incredibly rare vivid lime green coat...
THIERRY MUGLER S/S 1996 Runway Yellow Silk Suit FR40
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Brand: Thierry Mugler Designer: Thierry Mugler Collection: Spring Summer 1996 Fabric: 100% Silk Colour: Yellow Size: FR40 Made in France Thierry Mugler suit from his Spring Summer 1...
Yellow and brown skirt suit and double-jacket trompe l'oeil Thierry Mugler ACTIV
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Yellow and brown skirt suit and double-jacket trompe l'oeil. Main fabric composition: 75% wool, 25% rayon. Acetate lining. Double snap closure on the middle front of the jacket ( 2 o...
Thierry Mugler Rare Sculptural Ensemble FW 1986 Skirt Suit
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 skirt suit is the perfect testament to that phil...
Thierry Mugler Asymmetric-cut Banana textured suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Mugler banana hue skirtsuit is in textured cotton knit. The jacket has fitted sleeves and has white ribbed cotton towards the cuffs. the front has hidden snap detail along wi...
Pale yellow cotton Piqué skirt suit with cut-work THIERRY MUGLER
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale yellow cotton Piqué skirt suit . Acetate or rayon lining. Split on both side on the jacket. Thin shoulder pad. Hidden snap closure on the middle front. SIZE 42 (Fr) L
Gianni Versace Couture yellow skirt suit, ss 1996
By Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace Couture
Located in London, GB
Bright yellow suit with mid-length skirt and single-breasted jacket with Medusa buttons by Gianni Versace Spring-summer 1996
