“I make clothes because I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist. I had to create my own world.” What a world fashion designer Thierry Mugler has created. The famous French fashion designer who is famous for her perfumes and Demi Moore’s unmissable black dress from Indecent proposal, died today at the age of 73. The cause of death was not immediately known.
His death was announced through his team by sharing a black square on his personal Instagram profile with the caption: “We are saddened to announce the passing. by Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday, January 23, 2022. May his soul rest in peace”.
Mugler entered the fashion scene in the 1970s. In the 1980s when he took to the Paris runway for the first time, his PVC suits were decorated by models who appeared to be human figures. Intergalactic domination was not received favorably. At the time, it was illegal to think of anything made from PVC as being considered luxury or high fashion. Despite the negative reviews from fashion critics, Mugler went on and became one of the most famous names and famous designers in the fashion industry.
Mugler’s designs are in keeping with his TV series of the same name – a collision of sharp angles, large shoulders, small waistlines, with splashes of colorful eruptions that animate the contours. Mugler designs are created for large entrances and large exits. His fashions are fashions of maximum impact and drama, which is why his classic designs have been joyfully and delightedly rediscovered by today’s pop stars. .
Cardi revived his “The Birth of Venus” (1995) at the 2019 Grammys — a pink satin gown by the Duchess and a black velvet “Venus” wrap and jumpsuit. embellishment, and last year in Paris, he wore another piece with a scarlet feather crown (from the famous Mugler Cirque d’Hiver show) to launch a massive exhibition of his work. his product. Lady Gaga wore one of his designs in her “Telephone” video and Beyoncé, the reincarnated gold corset for her “Sweet Dreams” video; and years ago all of them, if you haven’t watched, enjoy David Bowie wearing a mugler while singing “Boys Keep Swinging” (powered by Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias) on Saturday night live in 1979.
Born in Strasbourg, the French boy loved to draw from an early age. He also started studying classical dance at the age of 9. At the age of 14, he joined the ballet troupe for the Rhin Theatre. During his time as a ballet dancer, he was also studying interior design at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts. Mugler tells of his time in the ballet world, Elle, “When you’re on stage, you’re a different person.”
Designer Manfred Thierry Mugler attends the photocall “Thierry Mugler: Couturissime” within the framework of Paris Fashion Week at the Musée des Arts décoratifs on September 28, 2021 in Paris, France.
Richard Bord / WireImage
After leaving ballet, Mugler began designing clothes for Karim, where he would create the loose, 1940s-inspired outfits that would define his career. He will be moving to Paris to work as a window repairman for a Paris boutique, where he is also allowed to design as a side designer. After many years as a freelance designer, Mugler is launching her first line, Café de Paris, created in collaboration with entrepreneur Alain Caradeuc.
A turning point for Mugler came when legendary fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa joined her company, helping Mugler create looks that were part urban, part punk, and part female in airplane flying society. In 1978, Mugler opened his first store in the Places des Victories and launched his line of men’s products. It was clear that at the time he was becoming a force to be reckoned with.
While Mugler’s designs took a long time to become popular with the fashion editor elite, he had the perfect timing when his rise to stardom coincided with cultural rise. of the supermodel. In the ’80s when Mugler became one of the “it” fashion shows of Paris Fashion Week, models including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Eva Herzigova all walked the runway in runways. designer creations, from chrome jumpsuits to feather dresses. .
Mugler is known for lavish fashion shows held in an arena style almost as if spectators were going to a theatrical performance. They are fitting performances for a man who devoted the first part of his life to dance and performance, and who in 1992 will return to the world of ao dai.
Mugler is both the director and costume designer of George Michael’s “Too Funky” music video. The video is all about Mugler as Michaels plays a fashion designer staging a fashion show that features Herzigova, Evangelista, and other supermodels including Tyra Banks, Nadja Auermann and Beverly Peele.
Even though it was the ’90s and LGBTQ acceptance only started to take off after the worst of the AIDS crisis, Mugler, who came out as gay, also featured Joey Arias and Lypsinka in the video. music. The video also features future models and actors Justin Chambers and Djimon Hounsou. In addition to an eye for fashion, Mugler also has an eye for top talent.
Cardi B attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Amy Sussman / FilmMagic
His dress for Moore in Indecent proposal considered extremely controversial in the more reserved 90s. Without a doubt, it is very sexy yet elegant. If his motive was to get people outside the fashion world talking about him, then Mugler, without a doubt, succeeded.
At the same time, Mugler was under scrutiny because some believed he was treating women like sex objects (which is ironic for an openly gay designer), but fashion critics Aline Mosby said of Mugler’s designs, “The liberation of women from sexual objectification passed the window during the ten days of ready-to-wear and spring/summer shows in Paris 1983 …” she admitted. found the work of Mugler and his contemporaries problematic when he remarked, “It can be fun fashion for some women, it’s demeaning for anti-sexist women.” otherness.”
On the opposite end of the spectrum, one could argue that Mugler knew the sale of sex. He has a particular passion for corsets, an outfit that was once considered a women’s fashion prison, but he knows how to make them modern. In 1989, Mugler met corset maker Mr Pearl at a popular New York nightlife producer Susann Bartsch’s Love Ball in New York City. Bartsch’s parties are, even to this day, known for attracting a large LGBTQ population and tons of creativity from art to fashion.
“Kardashian’s dress was one of the most talked-about pieces of the night as she hit the red carpet looking as if she were drenched in a rubber corset hanging over her body dangling crystals. beads.”
The two ended up collaborating on Mugler’s upcoming runway show and thus the Thierry Mugler cardigan was born. Mugler designed his first couture collection in 1992.
His passion for corsets never dies. At the 2019 Met Gala, TV star and reality TV entrepreneur Kim Kardashian brought in retired Mugler to design a corset dress for her that took her eight months to make. Kardashian’s dress was one of the most talked-about pieces of the night as she hit the red carpet looking as if she were drenched in a rubber corset hanging over her body dangling crystals. beads.
In 1997, Clarins licensed the name Thierry Mugler. In 2003, amid declining sales, Clarins closed its ready-to-wear business, although they kept the fragrance division because it was profitable. Mugler left the fashion industry in 2002, although he continues to create.
Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West attend the 2019 Met Gala “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue
He will continue to collaborate with Cirque du Soleil on costumes, serving as an art consultant for Beyoncé creating her outfits for the “I Am… World Tour” and designing interiors for hotels and resorts. Resort. Although he never had an official collection again, Cardi B kept him relevant to a whole new generation of hip-hop and fashion lovers by regularly wearing multiple pieces. his hosting design. Her Venus dress became one of the most talked about dresses at the 2019 Grammys.
After taking a deep dive behind the scenes after leaving her fashion brand in 2002, Mugler will begin her comeback to the public in 2010 — at which point Eric Wilson of New York Times note significantly different appearance of the designer.
Cardi B. attends the photo session “Thierry Mugler: Couturissime” within the framework of Paris Fashion Week at the Musee des Arts décoratifs on September 28, 2021 in Paris, France.
Marc Piasecki / WireImage
First, he started calling himself by his legal name, Manfred, because he felt Thierry Mugler was a brand and he wanted to separate himself from that. A lifelong bodybuilder, Mugler has acquired the desirable muscles of Mr. Olympia up to 240 pounds. He is said to have also had some plastic surgery done after a car accident left his face scarred. In 2019, he will show off his body in a photo session wearing thin clothes for Interview magazine.
There was no shortage of love pouring out of him upon news of his death, including posts from Ken Downing, Nicola Formichetti, who led the revival of the MUGLER label in 2010, and Olivier Theyskens.
The world has lost yet another one of its fashion giants, following the death of the famous Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley earlier this week. Perhaps they are both getting ready for a fashion show on stage.
