Thierry Mugler

Manfred Thierry Mugler (French pronunciation: [manfʁɛd tjɛʁi myɡlɛʁ]; ✦21 December 1948 – †23 January 2022) was a French fashion designer, creative director and creative adviser of Mugler. In the 1970s, Mugler launched his eponymous fashion house; and quickly rose to prominence in the following decades for his avant-garde, architectural, hyperfeminine and theatrical approach to haute couture. He was one of the first designers to champion diversity in his runway shows, which often tackled racism and ageism, and incorporated non-traditional models such as drag queens, porn stars, and transgender women. In 2002, he retired from the brand, and returned in 2013 as the creative adviser.

At the beginning of his career he designed signature looks for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Grace Jones, Duran Duran, Viktor Lazlo, David Bowie and Diana Ross; most notably Demi Moore's dress from the 1993 movie Indecent Proposal, which was once coined "the most famous dress of the 1990s". In 1992, he directed and designed the outfits for George Michael's "Too Funky" music video; also that year he launched the perfume Angel, which became one of the best-selling perfumes of the 20th century. Mugler's fall 1995 haute couture collection, marking the 20th anniversary of his brand, was staged at the Cirque d'hiver venue in Paris; and has been referred to as the "Woodstock of Fashion", for having over 300 designed looks, an elaborate set design, dozens of high-profile supermodels and a performance from James Brown.

He also designed costumes for Beyoncé's I Am... World Tour, and created a one-off design for Kim Kardashian to wear to the 2019 Met Gala.

Mugler died of natural causes at his residence in Vincennes near Paris.

NBGA

Recently, popular over-the-top haute couture Maison, Thierry Mugler, has been making a comeback on the red carpet. From Kim Kardashian to Cardi B, current celebrities are fighting to wear a Mugler design. But many of the brands rising fans are unaware of the designer, Manfred Thierry Mugler, himself, or the grand fashion shows the brand was once known for.

One show, in particular, was the 20th anniversary spectacular located at the Cirque d’Hiver in Paris, France. This show was nicknamed the “Woodstock of Fashion” back in 1995, as there had not been a single fashion event like it before. Fake snow and confetti fell from the ceiling, James Brown serenaded the crowd, and legendary models we all know and love today graced the runway. What more could you ask for?

The show showcased over 300 looks during the short hour it ran. Also during this hour was a performance by James Brown, which commenced while models were on stage, confetti rained from the ceiling, and male go-go dancers accompanied.

The lineup of models at this event was absolutely star-studded. Nadja Auermann wore a bronze-medal breastplate while smoke pooled at her ankles, Jerry Hall dazzled the crowd in a black cape adorned with tiny buttons, and Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss kept the audience alive with their continuous supermodel skills. The list does not stop here, though, as the show was notorious for having the top supermodels of the time all at one event.

The guest list was not just star-studded but packed with global figures. The wife of the French president at the time was Danielle Mitterrand, who made a special appearance. She had spent the previous days with Fidel Castro but stated that she could not miss the show no matter what. Though there is no photographic evidence of her attendance, she did discuss the show often.

Many popular drag queens at the time were in the audience of the show. Though it seemed to be a look into Mugler’s past, it actually gave a look into the future of the label, as the drag queens were attracted to the over-the-top extravagance of the pieces. Drag queens have always shown an intense devotion to the most extreme forms of fashion, so it seems fitting that a show like this one would get a stamp of approval.