A Tribute to Thierry Mugler and His Everlasting Impact on Fashion
Image Courtesy: WWD
This past week, the iconic French fashion designer Thierry Mugler passed away at 73 years old.
In 1974, Mugler established himself as a leading figure in international fashion after launching his first clothing line Café de Paris, and later opening a Paris boutique called Gudule. As a ‘man of the future,’ Mugler integrated fashion with science fiction to create otherworldly fantasies. Mugler took his theatrical background into the catwalk shows, experimenting with latex, leather, and curves to reinvent the catwalk into a theatrical performance. He rejected the label of “fashion designer”, and referred to himself as a “fashion director,” believing that “fashion had to be shown in its musical and theatrical environment.” His legacy is defined by a flamboyant and genre-busting architectural style that played with the shapes of the human body, over-accentuated shoulders, and tiny waists. He was known for his erotic looks with plunging necklines and backs. Mugler created some of the most iconic looks for the world’s biggest stars: Beyonce, David Bowie, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and far more. In an homage to his legacy, let’s look back on his most iconic looks throughout the decades.
1992 – Thierry Mugler, Bustier
Image Courtesy: Fashion History
The dramatic Harley Davidson-inspired corset top is made up of plastic, metal, and Plexiglass. The bustier look is one of Mugler’s edgier designs, incorporating different fabrics with leather belts and tassels. Mugler enjoyed breaking down barriers in fashion and producing looks that could inspire multiple interpretations. This satirical design calls attention to the objectification of women, where the motorcycle imagery implies that the female body is a vehicle to be driven. On the runway, the model walked gripping her handlebar accessories, implying that the woman drives herself. Mugler created pieces that were meant to be showcased theatrically. The bustier top is now on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Spring/Summer 1995 – The Venus Dress
Image Courtesy: Elle
Inspired by Italian Renaissance artist Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Mugler created a dress that made the model Simonetta Gianfelici look as if she were blossoming out of a shell. With the use of pearls and satin, Mugler’s design captivated the audience and created a show-stopping look during the Spring/Summer show. The dress was recently worn by Cardi B for the 2019 Grammys.
Autumn/Winter 1995 – Robot Woman
Image Courtesy: Elle and GQ Magazine
One of the pieces showcased in Mugler’s Cirque d’Hiver collection, this design is a perfect example of Mugler’s futuristic style. Mugler wanted to fulfill his science fiction fantasies and create an outfit that accentuated the female body. Mugler wanted to transform the model into a cyborg, wearing metal protective armor, ready for war. The outfit was recently worn by Cara Delevingne for the cover of GQ magazine, showing that Mugler’s designs never go out of style.
2019 Met Gala – The Wet Dress
Image Courtesy: People Magazine
Thierry Mugler came out of retirement after 20 years to make the iconic Wet Dress worn by Kim Kardashian for the 2019 Met Gala. The latex corseted dress took eight months to make and was detailed with beaded crystals that resembled drops of water. Mugler’s inspiration was of Sophia Loren in a see-through wet dress in the movie Boy on a Dolphin. Mugler envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, and it’s safe to say his vision was a success.
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
Thierry Mugler transformed fashion into more than just clothing. Mugler reinvented the industry through his fascination with the human body and theatrical details. He celebrated individuality with each of his designs and helped make fashion an inclusive environment through his provocative, avant-garde styles. Thierry Mugler truly was a “fashion director” and conjured glamour that accentuated each body type he worked with. Thierry Mugler changed the way we view fashion today.
Strike Out,
Writer: Sara Vigne
Editor: Noelle Knowlton
Graphic Designer: Lauren Wakeman
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