Thierry Mugler was a fashion designer who passed away last week, aged 73. His daring creations celebrated the feminine form in a manner that was unabashedly sexy.
Mugler’s dresses, which were sometimes sheer, slinky, or cut to expose a surprising amount of flesh, made women stand out in crowds.
Megan Fox (35), an actress, was one of the most notable recent cases. She walked onto the MTV Movie Awards red-carpet in a completely sheer, gold Mugler gown with shimmering details that showed her curves.
Kim Kardashian (41), who along with Jerry Hall, was a Mugler Muse, created an even bigger stir with her now famous ‘wet-look’ Met Gala gown, which was so well-fitting, she couldn’t stand up.
Don’t be afraid to show your skin! Mugler’s dresses, often sheer or slinky and slashed to expose a staggering amount of flesh, showcased women’s bodies in such a way that they made models, actresses, and pop singers stand out even amongst other A-listers. Megan Fox and Kim Kardashian both made the headlines with their Mugler designs.
Making a statement: A semi-sheer evening dress on the 1995 runway and Beyoncé in Theirry Mugler on tour in 2009
Meanwhile the showmanship of Mugler’s pieces made him a natural fit for pop stars wanting to make a statement on stage, with Diana Ross, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé all turning to the French designer for one-of-a-kind pieces.
His designs were always challenging the rules about what part of the body should or shouldn’t be shown. A night dress might be simple from the front, but show the bottom of the back. Or a skirt that is prom-style might have an opening at the waist, showing the underwear.
Mugler’s runways were particularly racy, with models including Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Herzigová, sent down in pieces that revealed their torsos, bare breasts and bottoms.
FEMAIL looks back on some of Thierry Murgler’s most extraordinary creations.
Supermodels Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell show off bondage-inspired Mugler designs at Paris Fashion Week 1990
Friend to the stars: Thierry Muller with Diana Ross (in Paris, 1990) in one of his sheer effect ensembles
Designs that expose the breasts and bottom: Mugler’s catwalks featured many cut-out designs (left 1995, right 1998).
There is more to life! The runway at Mugler 1991 is walked by a model wearing a purple, head-to toe ensemble with a froufrou umbrella.
Playing with proportions. 1991 saw models show cartoonish, fur-balled bodysuits and dresses.
Star power: Naomi Campbell (left, in 1992) and Eva Herzigová (right, in 1994) strutted their stuff on the Mugler catwalk
Claudia Schiffer in all-out glamour at the 1995 Thierry Mugler Show
The boys are here! Mugler celebrated also the masculine form at both the 2012 (left) and 2011 shows.
Gaga on the move! Lady Gaga, the pop star, stepped out wearing a Mugler Polo Dot Playsuit in Paris after 2011’s Paris Fashion Week.
Alessandra Ambrosio and Irina Shayk show off their curves in September 2021. Right, Irina Shayk
Modern Muse: Kim Kardashian (pictured in 2019 with Mugler) helped to revive Mugler and get him back into popular culture
Kim Kardashian wore a vintage Thierry Muller piece, which was left on the runway for a 2019 night out.
French fashion icon Thierry Mugler who has dressed Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, David Bowie and Beyoncé and was known for his daring theatrical designs dies age 73
DailyMail.com by Stephen M. Lapore
Thierry Mugler, a French designer of fashion, was an icon whose iconic designs were worn daily by Hollywood royalty, including Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.
Mugler’s official Instagram profile confirmed that he died Sunday night.
“#RIP” The post said, “#RIP We are deeply sorry to inform you of the death of Manfred Thierry Murgler Sunday 23 January 2022.” “May his soul rest in peace.”
The agent of the deceased designer confirmed that he died from ‘natural causes’ and added that a new collaboration was due for him to be announced this week.
Mugler was the founder of his fashion label, eponymous, in 1970. He suffered serious injuries from a number of accidents in recent years, including a crash in a car and bruising in he gym. This left Mugler almost incomprehensible.
Tributes have poured in from friends and colleagues including model Bella Hadid, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and singer Diana Ross.
Born Manfred Thierry Mugler on December 21, 1948 in Strasbourg, France, the designer initially studied and performed ballet but found more success with his fashion designs.
From a very young age, he created his own clothing, using items from nearby flea markets. He then moved to Paris to be a freelance stylist.
In 1973, he took the plunge and created his own label Café de Paris, before founding Thierry Mugler a year later. He favored women’s shapes with his designs: he padded, sculpted the hips, and gave prominence to shoulders.
His showmanship was in his blood. In 1984 for his 10th birthday, his label celebrated with the first European public fashion show. 6,000 people attended the concert-like event.
Mugler also was a champion for trans models, and his nineties shows featured Connie Fleming (and Teri Toye) as the performers.
Mugler, despite appearing to be retiring from the frontlines of fashion in the 2000s was still an influencer and she worked alongside Beyonce during her ‘I’m …’ tour.
Thierry Mugler is a French fashion designer who was admired by celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Lady Gaga and Beyonce.
Mugler’s official Instagram profile confirmed his death Sunday night. “#RIP” The post said, “#RIP We are deeply sorry to inform you of the death of Manfred Thierry Murgler Sunday 23 January 2022.” “May his soul rest in peace.”
Mugler (center) with Deee-Lite members at a 1980s fashion week party
Mugler seen in the dressing rehearsal of his show The Wyld – Not of this world’ on October 2014.
Mugler was photographed here, in Paris, in July 1992, at a fashion event
Jean Paul Gaultier (right) and Thierry Mulgler (left) attend a party at Les Bains Douches for fashion week in Paris in the 1990s.
Never did he put down his tape measures and fabrics. He had come out of retirement to wear Kardashian to the Met Gala in 2019, so he was believed to have been working on new collaborations when he died.
‘He envisioned me as this California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping,’ Kardashian said at the time.
“Today’s fashion show is a continuation of the Mugler invention.” Didier Grumbach was the former CEO at Thierry Mugler.
The Frenchman also dressed other famous figures, including icons such as George Michael, Cindy Crawford, Sharon Stone, and David Bowie to more modern stars, like Rihanna, Katy Perry and Bella Hadid.
He had a lasting impact even after his death. Twitter was obsessed by Maddie, Alexa’s character in Maddie trying on Mugler dresses during an episode that aired Jan 16.
Mugler retired in 2005 and continued to work as an artist advisor for Beyonce. He also designed the costumes for the ‘I Am …’ tour that she did in support of her album, which revealed the character Sasha Fierce.
Mugler is also known for his perfume line, still in production. The most recent Mugler fragrance, Angel Nova was launched in June 2020.
In the 1980s and 1990s, he made his mark with designs that were featured on every stage from the runway to the stages and music videos including George Michael’s 1992 hit “Too Funky.”
Kim Kardashian West was seen wearing Mugler at the 2019 Met Gala
Thierry Mugler as well Georges Bedran at the Manfred Thierry Mugler Photographe show at Polka Factory, 2019
Mugler also used transgender models in his shows on stage back in 1984, which was a major step forward for the designer.
A great designer, he was complex and was described in 2010 as an “utterly bizarre and notoriously difficult” character.
Mugler also shared his dramatic change of appearance, after extensive plastic surgery.
“I underwent facial reconstruction in the wake of a terrible gym accident in which my face was severely damaged,” he explained to News in 24. “There was a point when I thought to myself, let’s get things in order and go higher.
After crashing his jeep in 2019, which resulted in the death of his nose, he continued with plastic surgery.
Mugler took some bone from his hip to implant it under his chin.
He said, “I wanted my face represent progress because I was tired of being thin and charming dancing, so I decided to make it a symbol for success.” “I have done so many things in my life. It’s been so difficult. It’s not unusual to be a superhero.
According to the New York Times, Mugler began his journey as Manfred in 2010 and “transformed” his body through extreme diet and exercise. This resulted in a 240-pound display of muscle, nipple, and tattoos.
Strasbourg-born designer was trained in classical dancing at the age of 9 and then joined the Ballet Corps at 14.
Interview: He spoke out about a lonely childhood, partly due to his sexuality.
Mugler’s official Instagram account confirmed the news on Sunday night. Here he is at the 2014 Dress Rehearsal
Mugler seen here in Paris at one his first shows, 1979
In Los Angeles, a star-studded tribute was paid to Mugler in 1992.
He told Vogue that he knows what it’s like to be alone – deeply. He said, “I suffered a very difficult childhood. I felt alone for many years.” This was my new reality. I used to watch the stars. I saw something new. It was more beautiful.
His purpose in life was dance, theater, and fashion he said.
“When I began dancing, it was an opener; it helped me tremendously because of the magical stage,” he said. “The theatre was meant for me. But after the beauty of the light, the red curtain and applause – everyone had someone to wait for them backstage, but me? Never. It was a lonely time for years.
Angel was his first fragrance, and it was released in 1992. Barbara Walters and Hillary Clinton were said to have preferred Angel.
According to Vulture, Mugler ‘was best known for his sculptural use of tailoring. His 40-s inspired women’s suit designs and high-themed fashion shows made him famous worldwide.
Although he retired in 2002, his fashion brand was about to close down, he remained an influential figure on fashion over the following two decades.
Diana Ross and Thierry Mugler at a 1991 show
Mugler launched his first fashion collection, ‘Café de Paris,’ in 1973.
Demi Moore’s iconic gown from the movie Indecent Proposal is one of his most well-known.
Multiple books were also published by him, including his 1988 first book, Thierry Mgler: Photographer, as well as his 1998 collection, Fashion Fetish Fantasy.
Mugler wasn’t just a photographer, he was also a bodybuilder. His new presentation in 2010 caused quite a stir.
Grace Jones was one of Mugler’s first muses.
He eventually began a long-lasting collaboration with David Bowie, legendary rock musician and fashion icon.
Mugler outfitted Bowie at his 1992 marriage to Iman.
This dress is one of Mugler’s most popular creations, which Demi Moore wore in 1993’s Indecent Proposal.
Mugler, a famously passionate designer was sometimes involved in drama with other artists. A 2019 Dior show featured a Dee-Lite song, which Mugler was not happy about. This band had previously recorded music for a Mugler Show in the 1990s.
“I suppose it is an homage? Or maybe musical chairs?” He wrote the following on Instagram: “I guess it is an homage or maybe musical chairs?” Mugler also included Dior and Kim Jones in the caption.
Clarins also played a part in his turbulent relationship. From 1997, they published his perfume line and owned more of the rights. They published a retrospective that he sued.
His brand was changed to simply Mugler in September 2010 by Casey Cadwallader, an American designer.
In an Instagram tribute to Mugler, Cadwallader wrote, “Manfred! I am so honored that you have known me and to have worked within your beautiful universe,” referring to Mugler’s first name. “You transformed our view of beauty, confidence and self-empowerment. In everything that I do, I carry your legacy with me. I am grateful.
Mugler was not open about his age and did not seem to be married.