The Most Iconic Mugler Fashion Moments!

Earlier this week, fashion designer and creator of the Mugler brand, Thierry Mugler, was announced to have passed away in a statement via his personal Instagram as well as on his fashion brand’s account. Mugler, 73, was a stalwart within the fashion industry, whose eccentric runway shows dominated Fashion Weeks around the world. Born in Strasbourg, France, Mugler worked as a freelance designer in Paris before launching his label in 1974. By the '80s, he had stunned the international crowd with his dramatic 1940s glamor aesthetic and often spectacle-inducing fashion shows. His surreal style was categorized by dramatic angles and maximalism, but also maintained a critically acclaimed elegance. While Mugler has passed on, his iconic styles will remain a key part of the fashion industry. Listed below are some of our favorites! 

1. The Motorcycle Corset

In 2022, corsets are EVERYTHING. Back in the '90s, Mugler also sensed the appeal but added his own unique twist to the clothing piece. Instead of creating a dainty, Victorian-era bodice, Mugler subverted expectations by creating a wearable motorcycle, complete with handlebars and rearview mirrors for models to peek into as they walk down the catwalk. Featuring leather, crazy flame detailing, and S&M-esque tassels, the piece is just ridiculously Mugler. This look, as well as multiple other Mugler creations, was featured in George Michael’s “Too Funky” music video -- one of the most iconic collaborations between the fashion and music world. 

2. The Cyborg Bodysuit 

Mugler’s FW95 show was full of moments — any show by the fashion designer was always more of a performance rather than just a runway show. A Mugler show was an hour-long extravaganza, broken into intervals by sporadic performances of everything from drag strip teases to theatrical performances. Twenty minutes into the FW95 show, Mugler debuted "Cyborg", a robot suit that combined fetish fashion with a sci-fi twist. The suit was a full-body metal and plexiglass creation that took Mugler’s team 6 months of intensive work to create. "Cyborg" has lived on through the creation of the Mugler brand’s iconic bodysuit line, worn by pop stars when performing on stage. While there are not quite as many metallic elements, the base shape has become a staple in bodysuits sported by pop stars like Beyoncé today.

3. Demi Moore’s Dress From Indecent Proposal 

Known as THE dress of the 90s, this creation by Mugler was simple yet elegantly stunning. The dress is a long, black creation with cutouts in the chest area that was controversial to movie viewers due to its “indecency”. If they had gone to one of Mugler’s shows before, though, they would know this is one of his most conservative designs! 

4. The Cardi B Era

One of Cardi B’s first major designers that helped cement her status as a fashionista was Mugler, whose archival works she wore during her GRAMMY performance in 2019. There, she also made history as the first woman to win the Best Rap Album for her debut album, Invasion Of Privacy. Cardi wore 3 of Mugler’s works during the ceremony, including the viral "Venus" dress. Since then, she has continued to wear many of his works in performances and other red carpet events.

5. Kim K’s 2019 Met Gala Look 

In the late-'90s/early-2000s, Mugler retreated from the fashion world to dabble in his other creative pursuits. He not only pursued photography but also designed the highly successful perfume Angel with Jerry Hall acting as its spokeswoman. Mugler also worked with Cirque du Soleil on their Zumanity show, as well as helping Beyoncé with her costume designs for her 2009 I Am … Sasha Fierce Tour. It was only at Kim Kardashian’s request that Mugler made his way back to the industry, collaborating with her team to create her famous dripping wet look from the 2019 Met Gala. Since then, Mugler continued to create designs for Kim, including a recent futuristic cowboy costume reminiscent of his cyborg days. In a post remembering Mugler, Kim wrote "There's no one like you! Your vision, your transformations, your magic! I am so honored to have known you, spent time with you, and been a muse for you."

R.I.P., Monsieur Mugler, you will be missed!